The Periodic Table

LESSON 4 AND LESSON 5

TEXTBOOK TOPIC : 4.6
The Table
Basic Features of the Periodic Table

► Columns: Groups/Families (Elements that share similar properties)

► Rows: Periods (From Left to Right, it changes from Metals to Non-Metals
► Staircase-The division between the metals and the non-metals
► Between Group 2 and Group 3: Transition Metals
A typical cell in the table

Atomic Number

Symbol of the element

Name of the element

Atomic Mass

How are symbols determined? How many do I expect you to know?

 Is atom truly the smallest part of matter?

The atom has 3 sub-atomic parts: the proton, the neutron and the electron

Sub-atomic Proton Neutron Electron

particle

Location Inside the Inside the In the orbit or

nucleus nucleus shells
Mass 1 a.m.u. 1 a.m.u. 1/1820 a.m.u.

Charge +1 0 -1
Atomic number

► The atomic number is also known as the proton number.

► It gives the total number of protons in the nucleus if an atom.
► It is unique to every element; this implies that no two elements can have the same proton
number.
► For neutral/uncharged atoms, the number of electrons is equal to the number of protons.
Mass Number

► The mass number is also know as the atomic mass or nucleon number.
► It gives the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom.
► In order to find the number of neutrons in an atom, we will subtract the proton number
from the mass number.
Calculating number of sub-atomic particles.

► Take a look at the periodic table given at the end of your textbook.
► Note down the atomic numbers and mass numbers of the following elements: Lithium,
Magnesium, Phosphorus, Sulphur and Argon.
► Draw a table like the one below and fill it in ( 4 minutes to complete it)
Name of Symbol Atomic Atomic No. of No. of No. of
element Number (Z) Mass (A) protons electrons neutrons
Lithium Li 3 7 3 3 7-3=4
The completed task

Name of Symbol Atomic Atomic No. of No. of No. of

element Number (Z) Mass (A) protons electrons neutrons

Lithium Li 3 7 3 3 7-3=4
Magnesium Mg 12 24 12 12 12
Phosphorus P 15 31 15 15 16
Sulphur S 16 32 16 16 16
Argon Ar 18 40 18 18 22
Shells and Electrons

All atoms have orbits or shells.

These shells are actually different energy levels were electrons are present.
Each shell has a specific capacity of accommodating electrons, and is determined by the formula:
Number of electrons(e) in nth shell= 2n2
So, if we think of the 1st shell, n=1, then no. of e it can hold= 2(1)2
=2
For n=2, no. of e= 8
For n=3, no. of e=18
For n=4, no. of e=32
Electronic Configuration

► Knowing which shell can hold how many electrons helps us determine the electronic
configuration of an atom.
► The electronic configuration further sheds light onto the group, the period, the valency,
the nature and reactivity of the element.
Electronic Configuration and Group

► The group number of the element depends on the number of electrons in the last shell of
an element.
► The last shell/ outermost shell is also known as the valence shell. The electrons in the last
shell are called valence electrons.
► These valence electrons determine the charge the element can gain, which is also known
as valency or combining power.
Electronic Configuration and Period

► The number of shells needed to accommodate the electrons determines the period of the
element. So an element with 3 shells would be placed in period number 3 of the periodic
table.
Example 1: Magnesium

► Atomic number: 12
► Mass number: 24
► p= 12, n= 12, e= 12
Electronic configuration, 1st shell=2 e (remaining e,12-2=10)
2nd shell= 8 e (remaining e,10-8=2)
3rd shell= 2 e (remaining e, 0)
Therefore, the electronic configuration is 2,8,2
Group:2 Period:3 Charge/Valency: +2
Example 2: Fluorine

► Atomic number: 9
► Mass number: 19
► p= 9, n= 10, e= 9
Electronic configuration, 1st shell=2 e (remaining e,9-2=7)
2nd shell= 7 e (remaining e,7-7=0)
Therefore, the electronic configuration is 2,7
Group:7 Period:2 Charge/Valency: -1
Example 3: Neon

► Atomic number: 10
► Mass number: 20
► p= 10, n= 10, e= 10
Electronic configuration, 1st shell=2 e
2nd shell= 8 e
Therefore, the electronic configuration is 2,8
Group:8 Period:2 Charge/Valency: 0
Why do elements react?

► Why do most gases exist as diatomic molecules?

► What the term diatomic mean?
► Why don’t group VIII elements react?
The Octet Rule

► Octet?
► The rule:?
Group and Charge/Valency

► Further details
Marked Homework (5 marks)

► Group A: Draw the atomic structure and the electronic configuration of the odd
numbered elements between atomic number 1 and 20.
► Group B: Draw the atomic structure and the electronic configuration of the even
numbered elements between atomic number 1 and 20.

► Submission, end of the day (11:59 pm, with clear images).

► ALL the diagrams should be drawn on the white page, please divide the space equally so
you can accommodate all 10 on one page. The borders must be present.