Periodic table

Alkali metals (grp I)

Properties of group I metals: Alkali metals
CHEMICAL:

1 electron in valence shell

most reactive of all the metals

react violently with water

Alkali metals are stored under oil to protect them from water vapour and oxygen in
the air. (prevent reaction)

tend to react with non-metals forming soluble, white ionic compounds

PHYSICAL:

soft and silvery metals (can be cut easily)

good conductors of heat and electricity

have low densities

have low melting points

REACTION WITH WATER:

Alkali metals react with cold water, releasing hydrogen gas and producing a metal
hydroxide (alkaline/basic) [ metal + water → metal hydroxide + hydrogen gas ]
OBSERVATIONS:

effervescence is observed (hydrogen gas)

darting of metal on surface of water

Heat is produced\solution(beaker) turned warm

trends down Grp I

Periodic table 1
 reactivity of elements increases down group → more violent\vigorous reaction with
water down the group

**EXPLANATION:
down the group,

1. Number of filled principal quantum shells increases.

2. Distance between the nucleus and the valence electron increases.

3. Electrostatic forces of attraction between the valence electron and nucleus

decreases.

4. Less energy is required to remove the valence electron from the atom.

5. First ionisation energy of the metal decreases.

6. Reactivity of metals increases.

melting point decreases down the group

densities increases down the group

Halogens (grp VII)

Properties of group VII metals

CHEMICAL

have seven valence electrons

exist as diatomic covalently bonded molecules

form ionic compounds with metals & form covalent compounds with non-metals

PHYSICAL

Periodic table 2
 low melting and boiling points

insulators of electricity

reactivity decreases down group

Melting and boiling point increases down group — gas → liquid → solid

EXPLANATION: down the group,

1. As the molecular mass of each molecule increases, the strength of the

intermolecular forces of attraction\van der Waals' forces of attraction increases.

2. More energy is needed to overcome the stronger intermolecular forces of

attraction between _____ molecules.

colour of element gets darker down the group

displacement reactions of halogens

Halogens are reactive non-metals. → React with metals to form salts called halides.

A more reactive halogen will displace a less reactive halogen from its compound.
** dont use fluorine for reactions. It is very reactive and will react with water.

Chemical eqn: Cl2 (aq) + 2KI (aq) → 2KCl (aq) + I2 (aq)

Ionic eqn: Cl2 (aq) + 2I- (aq) → 2Cl- (aq) + I2 (aq)

Noble gases (Grp 0)

They are inert gases. (unreactive) Their lack of reactivity is due to their stable electron
configuration. (complete valence shells → valency of 8)

properties:
CHEMICAL:

exist as monatomic gases due to electronic stability

Have high ionisation energies and low electronegativity values.

PHYSICAL:

They are colourless and odourless at room temperature and pressure

Periodic table 3
 low melting points

Their inertness is an important feature of their practical uses. For e.g. helium is used to
fill weather\advertising balloons, argon is used to fill lightbulbs.

Transition metals
1. high melting and boiling points, high densities

2. Have variable oxidation states in their compounds (e.g. Cu2O & CuO → 1+, 2+)

3. Form coloured compounds.

4. They are important catalysts for many reactions. (catalyst - substance added to
speed up reaction)

seniors notes:
IONISATION ENERGY

“Energy required to remove 1 mole of electrons from 1 mole of gaseous atoms, forming
1 mole of singly charged positive ions.”

Across a period:
The nuclear charge increases. While the screening effect of the inner shell
electrons on the valence electron remains almost constant, the distance between
the valence electron and nucleus decreases and the forces of attraction
between the valence electron and nucleus increase. Hence, the amount of
energy required to remove the valence electron increase and the ionisation energy
increases.

Down a group

There is an additional filled electron shell. The distance between the valence
electron and nucleus increases and the forces of attraction between the
valence electron and nucleus decrease. Hence, the amount of energy required to
remove the valence electron decreases and the ionisation energy decreases down
a group.

ATOMIC RADIUS

“Distance of closest approach to another identical atom”

Periodic table 4
 Across a period:

The nuclear charge increases. While the screening effect of the inner shell
electrons on the valence electron remains almost constant, the distance
between the valence electron and nucleus decreases and the forces of
attraction between the valence electron and nucleus increase. Therefore,
atomic radius decreases across a period.

Down a group:

There is an additional filled electron shell. The distance between the

valence electron and nucleus increases and the forces of attraction
between the valence electron and nucleus decrease. Therefore, the atomic
radius increases down a group.

IONIC RADIUS

“A measure of the space occupied by an ion in the ionic crystal lattice”

Write out the electronic configurations of the compared ions

For those with the same number of electron shells, compare the effect of nuclear
charge

For those with a different number of electron shells, compare the effect of the
screening effect

REACTIVITY

The tendency of an element to accept electrons

As the number of filled electron shells increases down Group 7 and the shielding
effect remains consistent, the forces of attraction between the nucleus and the
valence electrons are weaker. Therefore, halogens are less likely to accept
electrons and their reactivity decreases down the group.

Periodic table 5