Question 1

State the fundamental property on which the modern periodic table

or long form of periodic table is based.
Answer
Modern periodic table or long form of periodic table is based on
the Modern Periodic Law which states that —
Physical and chemical properties of elements are periodic function of
their atomic number. Hence, atomic number is the fundamental
property of an element on which the periodic table is based.

Question 2
State the important salient features of the modern periodic table.
State how separation of elements and periodicity of elements forms
an important feature of the modern periodic table.
Answer
Salient Features of Modern Periodic Table are:

1. Classification — Physical and chemical properties of elements

are periodic function of their atomic number.
2. Position — Correlates position of elements with it's electronic
configuration.
3. Methodical Arrangement — Arrangement of elements is in
increasing order of atomic numbers in:
i. Seven horizontal rows called called periods and
ii. Eighteen vertical columns called groups.
4. Periods — Completion of each period is logical since each
period:
i. begins with an element having one electron in outermost
shell
ii. ends with zero group element having completely filled
outer shell.
iii. A transition from metallic to non-metallic is seen across a
period.
 5. Groups — Each vertical column accommodates elements with
the same outer electronic configuration hence having similar
properties.
i. 18 vertical columns consists of groups 1 to 17 and 18
[zero group]
ii. Group 1, 2 and 13 to 17 [IA to VII A] are called Normal
elements.
iii. Group 3 to 12 [IB to VII B and VIII] are called Transition
elements.
iv. Group 18 [zero] at extreme right contains Noble or Inert
gases.
6. Separation of elements — Modern periodic table provides
separation of elements with similar properties in the following
ways:
i. Reactive metals are placed in group 1 [IA] and 2 [IIA]
ii. Transition elements (i.e., metals) are placed in the middle.
iii. Non-metals are placed in the upper right corner of the
periodic table.
7. Periodicity of Elements — Gradual change in properties is
seen with increase in atomic number in the periodic table.
Recurrence of properties is observed with elements belonging
to the same subgroup in the periodic table after a difference of
2, 8, 18 or 32 in the atomic numbers due to recurrence of
similar valence shell electronic configuration.

Question 3
What are 'periods'. State the correlation of a period number with the
elements of that period.
Answer
Periods are the seven horizontal rows in the modern periodic table.
The number of shells in an atom determines it's period. Hence, all
the elements of a particular period have same number of shells as its
period number.

Question 4
Name the elements in correct order of their increasing atomic
numbers present in the first, second and third short periods of the
periodic table. State each elements electronic configuration.
Answer
Elements of first, second and third period in increasing order of their
atomic number are mentioned below (atomic number of each
element is mentioned in brackets):
First period — H(1), He (2)
Second period — Li (3), Be (4), B (5), C (6), N (7), O (8), F (9), Ne
(10)
Third period — Na (11), Mg (12), Al (13), Si (14), P (15), S (16), Cl
(17), Ar (18)
Electronic configuration of the above mentioned elements is as
follows —
H—1
He — 2
Li — 2, 1
Be — 2, 2
B — 2, 3
C — 2, 4
N — 2, 5
O — 2, 6
F — 2, 7
Ne — 2, 8
Na — 2, 8, 1
Mg — 2, 8, 2
Al — 2, 8, 3
Si — 2, 8, 4
P — 2. 8, 5
S — 2, 8, 6
Cl — 2, 8, 7
Ar — 2, 8, 8

Question 5
Give a reason why :
(a) completion of each period is logical.
(b) period-2 elements are called 'bridge elements'.
Answer
(a) Completion of each period is logical, since each period begins
with an element having one electron in the outer most shell and ends
with zero group element having completely filled outer shell.
(b) The elements of the second period show resemblance in
properties with the elements of the next group of third period, due to
very less electronegativity difference. This leads to a diagonal
relationship, viz. Li and Mg, Be and Al, B and Si. These elements are
hence called Bridge elements.

Question 6
State the property trends in general on moving from left to right in a
period of the periodic table.
Answer
The property trends in general on moving from left to right in a period
of the periodic table are :

1. Number of valence electrons — increases by one

2. Atomic radius — decreases.
3. Ionization potential — increases.
4. Electron affinity — increases (exception, electron affinity is zero
for noble gases).
5. Non-metallic character — increases.
6. Metallic character — decreases
7. Electronegativity — increases (with the exception of noble
gases, they have complete octet so do not attract electrons to
itself).

Question 7
State :
(i) the bonding and state of chlorides of period-3 — group 1 [IA],
15[VA], 16 [VIA] and
(ii) the bonding and character of oxides of period-3 — group 1 [IA],
13[IIIA] and 16[VIA].
Answer
(i) The element of group 1 [IA] of period 3 is Na and it's chloride
forms ionic bond and is in solid state.
The element of group 15 [VA] of period 3 is P and it's chloride forms
covalent bond and is in liquid / solid state.
The element of group 16 [VIA] of period 3 is S and it's chloride forms
covalent bond and is in liquid state.
(ii) The element of group 1 [IA] of period 3 is Na and it's oxide forms
electrovalent bond and is strongly basic in character.
The element of group 13 [IIIA] of period 3 is Al and it's oxide forms
electrovalent bond and is amphoteric in character.
The element of group 16 [VIA] of period 3 is S and it's oxide forms
covalent bond and is acidic in character.

Question 8
What are 'groups' of the Modern Periodic Table ? What does the
'group number' signify.
Answer
Modern periodic table has 18 vertical columns. Each vertical column
accommodates elements with the same outer electronic
configuration (i.e., valence electrons), hence have similar properties.
Group number signifies the same outer electronic configuration and
similar properties.

Question 9
State the type of elements present in :
(a) group 1[IA]
(b) group 2 [IIA]
(c) group 3 to 12 [IB to VIIB and VIII]
(d) group 13 to 16 [IIIA to VIA]
(e) group 17 [VIIA]
(f) group 18 [0].
Answer
(a) Group-1 [IA] — Alkali metals
(b) Group-2 [IIA] — Alkaline earth metals
(c) Group-3 to 12 IB to VII B, VIII — Transition elements - inner
transitional elements.
(d) Group 13-16 [III B to VI A] — Post Transition elements.
(e) Group 17 (VII A) — Halogens.
(f) Group 18 (0) — Noble / Inert gases.

Question 10
What are transition elements and inner transition elements. State the
position of the inner transition elements. State why noble gases are
considered unreactive elements.
Answer
Transition Elements — Elements belonging to Groups 3 to 12 are
called transition elements. The valence electron of these elements is
in d orbital. They are metals and lie between strongly electropositive
metals on the left and least electropositive elements on the right.
They all have similar properties.
Inner Transition Elements — Elements belonging to Group 3 in 6th
and 7th period are called Inner transitional elements. The valence
electron of these elements is in f orbital. They consists of two
horizontal rows of elements which are placed at the bottom of the
table. These rows are called Lanthanides (rare earth) and Actinides
(radio active). Each row has 14 elements.
Noble gases are unreactive because their octet is complete and they
have a stable electronic configuration.

Question 11
State the characteristics which remain similar and those which show
a transition on moving down a sub-group.
Answer
Characteristics which remain similar on moving down a sub-group
are as follows:

1. Valency of electrons.
2. Chemical properties.

Characteristics which show a transition on moving down a sub-group

are as follows:

1. Metallic character increases down the sub-group.

2. Number of electron shells increases by one as we move down
each sub-group.

Question 12
 Compare the properties of the elements of group 1[IA] i.e. alkali
metals and group 17 [VIIA] i.e., halogens.
Answer
Below table shows the comparison of the elements of group 1[IA] i.e.
alkali metals and group 17 [VIIA] i.e., halogens:

Property Group 1[IA] Group 17 [VII

Elements Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Fr F, Cl, Br, I, At

Univalent (7 valence
Valency Univalent (1 valence electron)
electrons)

Highly reactive, highly

Highly reactive, highl
Nature electropositive, light soft
electronegative, non
metals

Good conductors of heat and Bad or non conducto

Conductivity
electricity heat and electricity

Reducing / Oxidizing nature Strong reducing agents Strong oxidizing agen

Electronegativity Low electronegativity High electronegativity

Question 13
Explain the term:
(a) periodicity in properties of elements
(b) periodic properties
(c) periodicity of elements
Answer
(a) Periodicity in properties of elements — The phenomenon of
occurrence of characteristic properties of elements at definite
intervals in the modern periodic table when elements are arranged in
increasing order of their atomic numbers is called Periodicity in
properties of elements.
(b) Periodic properties — The properties which appear at regular
intervals in the periodic table are called periodic properties. Periodic
Properties are:

1. Atomic radii
2. Ionization potential
3. Electron affinity
4. Electronegativity
5. Non-Metallic and Metallic character.
6. Density
7. Melting and boiling points.
8. Nature of oxides, oxy-acids, hydrides.

(c) Periodicity of elements — Gradual change in properties of

elements when they are arranged in increasing order of atomic
number in the periodic table is called the periodicity of elements.

Question 14
State the reasons for periodicity of elements in periods and groups.
Answer
Reasons for Periodicity in properties in periods and groups is as
follows —

1. After definite intervals of atomic number, similar valence shell

electronic configuration occurs i.e., same number of electrons
are present in the outermost orbit of the elements.
2. Properties of elements depend upon the number and
arrangement of electrons in various shells including valence
shells.
3. In the same period or sub-group, increase or decrease in a
particular property is due to gradual change in electronic
configuration in the arranged elements.

Question 15
Explain the meaning of the following periodic properties:
(a) Atomic radius
(b) Ionization potential
(c) Electron affinity
(d) Electronegativity
(e) Non-metallic and metallic character.
Answer
(a) Atomic radius — It is distance between the center of the nucleus
and outer most shell of the atom.
(b) Ionization potential [I.P.] — It is the amount of energy required to
remove an electron from the outer most shell of an isolated gaseous
atom.
(c) Electron affinity [E.A.] — It is the amount of energy released when
an atom in the gaseous state accepts an electron to form an anion.
(d) Electronegativity [E.N.] — It is the tendency of an atom to attract
electrons to itself when combined in a compound.
(e) Non-metallic and Metallic character — In terms of electron loss or
gain, an element is a:

 Non-metal — if it gains one or more electrons and,

 Metal — if it loses one or more electrons.

Question 16
State the factors which affect the atomic size of elements in a
periodic table. In period 2 from left to right, state which element has
the largest atomic size and which has the smallest, giving reasons.
Answer
Factors affecting the atomic size are:

1. Number of shells — An increase in the number of shells

increases the size of an atom because the distance between
the outermost shell and the nucleus increases.
 2. Nuclear charge — An increase in nuclear charge decreases
the size of the atom because the electrons are then attracted
towards the nucleus with a greater force thereby bringing the
outermost shell closer to the nucleus.

In period 2 from left to right, Li has the largest atomic size and F has
the smallest atomic size. This is so because the nuclear charge i.e.,
the atomic number increases from left to right in the same period,
thereby bringing the outermost shell closer to the nucleus.

Question 17
Explain the trend in atomic radii on moving down a group, with
reference to the alkali metals in Group 1 [IA].
Answer
Atomic radii of an atom increases on moving down a group. As we
move down a group, the number of shells increases and the nuclear
charge also increases. But increase in the number of shells
dominates over increase in nuclear charge therefore, overall atomic
size increases.
For alkali metals in Group 1 [IA], Li which is at the top of the group
has the smallest atomic radius whereas Cs at the bottom of the
group has the largest atomic radius. The atomic radii of the elements
has the following relation:
Li < Na < K < Rb < Cs

Question 18
State the factors which influence or affect the ionization potential of
elements in a periodic table.
Answer
The factors which influence the ionization potential of an element are
—
1. Atomic size — As atomic size increases, the nuclear attraction
on the outer electrons decreases and outer electron is loosely
held. Hence, ionization potential decreases.
 2. Nuclear charge — As nuclear charge increases, the nuclear
attraction on the outer most electron increases and the outer
electron is more firmly held. Therefore, ionization potential
increases.

Question 19
Explain the trend in general of ionization potential of elements :
(a) on moving from left to right across a period
(b) on moving down a group.
Give reasons for the change in the periodic trend in each case.
Answer
(a) On moving from left to right across a period, the ionization
potential increases.
The ionization potential of element tends to increase across a period
because the atomic size decreases due to an increase in nuclear
charge and electrons in the outermost shell are more strongly held
because of which greater energy is required to remove the electron.
(b) On moving down a group ionization potential decreases.
On moving down the group, atomic size, as well as, nuclear charge
increases. Due to the increase in atomic size the ionization potential
decreases and due to the increase in nuclear charge the ionization
potential should increase However, the effect of increase in atomic
size dominates over the effect of increase in nuclear charge. Hence,
ionization potential decreases down the group.

Question 20
State the factors which affect :
(a) electron affinity
(b) electronegativity of elements in a periodic table.
Answer
(a) The Factors which affect the electron affinity are:
 1. Atomic size — The smaller the atomic size, the greater the
electron affinity, because a small atom takes up electrons more
readily than a large atom since nucleus has greater attraction
on electrons.
2. Nuclear charge — As the nuclear charge increases electron
affinity increases because with an increase in nuclear charge
the tendency of an atom to accept electrons increases.

(b) The factors affecting electronegativity are:

1. Atomic size — The greater the size of the atom, the lesser the
electronegativity because a small atom will pull the shared pair
of electrons more than a large atom.
2. Nuclear charge — As the nuclear charge increases
electronegativity increases because an increase in nuclear
charge increases the force of attraction on the electron.

Question 21
Explain the trend in general of (i) electron affinity (ii) electronegativity
of elements:
(a) on moving from left to right across a period
(b) on moving down a group.
Give reasons for the change in each periodic trend.
Answer

1. Electron affinity
i. Across a period atomic size decreases and nuclear
charge increases. Both these factors lead to an increase
in the Electron affinity across a period from left to right as
a small atom with more nuclear charge can attract
electrons more easily.
ii. On moving down a group both atomic size and nuclear
charge increases but the increase in atomic size
dominates over increase in nuclear charge hence
Electron affinity decreases on moving down a group.
2. Electronegativity
i. Across a period atomic size decreases and nuclear
charge increases. Both these factors lead to an increase
 in Electronegativity across a period from left to right as a
small atom will pull the shared pair of electrons more than
a large atom.
ii. On moving down a group both atomic size and nuclear
charge increases but the increase in atomic size
dominates over increase in nuclear charge hence
Electronegativity decreases on moving down a group.

Question 22
With reference to the alkali metals in Group 1 [IA] and the halogens
in 17 [VIIA] explain the trend in ionization potential, electron affinity
and electronegativity on moving down the groups in the periodic
table.
Answer

Alkali Metals Halogens

 
Group 1 [IA] Group 17 [VIIA]

On moving down the group both

atomic size and nuclear charge
increases but atomic size Similarly for Halogens too
Ionization increase dominates over nuclear Ionization Potential decreases
Potential charge increase hence down the group.
Ionization Potential decreases ∴ F > Cl > Br > I
down the group.
∴ Li > Na > K > Rb > Cs

Here also electron affinity

On moving down the group,
decreases in general on moving
electron affinity decreases as
down the group but Fluorine is
atomic size increase dominates
an exception here as it has
Electron Affinity over nuclear charge increase
lesser electron affinity than
hence the atom attracts the
Chlorine due to its electronic
electrons with a lesser force.
configuration.
∴ Li > Na > K > Rb > Cs
∴ F < Cl > Br > I

Electronegativity Similar to electron affinity, Electronegativity decreases on

electronegativity decreases on moving down the group.
 Alkali Metals Halogens
 
Group 1 [IA] Group 17 [VIIA]

moving down the group.

∴ F > Cl > Br > I
∴ Li > Na > K > Rb > Cs

Below table explains the trends in ionization potential, electron

affinity and electronegativity on moving down the groups in the
periodic table:

Question 23
State the factors which affect the metallic and the non-metallic
character of elements in a periodic table.
Answer
Factors which affect metallic and non-metallic character in a periodic
table are as follows :
1. Atomic size — The greater the atomic size, the farther the
outermost orbit, and thus lesser is the nuclear pull exerted on it.
As a result, electrons can be removed more easily from the
valence shell, this making the element more metallic and less
non-metallic.
2. Nuclear charge — The greater the nuclear charge, the greater
is the force exerted by the nucleus on the electron of the
outermost orbit. This makes it difficult to remove the electron
from the outermost orbit. Thus, metallic nature decreases and
non-metallic nature increases.

Question 24
Explain the trends from metallic to non-metallic character of the
different elements in the first three periods.
Answer
On moving across a period, nuclear pull increases due to increase in
atomic number and thus the atomic size decreases. Hence, the
elements cannot lose electrons easily. Therefore, metallic nature
decreases across a period moving from left to right and non-metallic
character increases.
The alkali metals ( group 1 [IA]) and alkaline earth metals (group 2
[IIA]), placed on the left side of the table are most metallic in nature
and the halogens (group 16 [VIA]) placed on the right side of the
table are most non-metallic in nature.

Question 25
Explain with reasons the trends in metallic and non-metallic
character down a group.
Answer
Metallic/Non-Metallic character depends on atomic size and nuclear
charge. Increase in atomic size increases the Metallic nature and
increase in nuclear charge decreases the metallic nature. On moving
down the group both atomic size and nuclear charge increases. But
the atomic size increase dominates over nuclear charge increase.
Hence, tendency to lose electrons increases. Thus, metallic
character increases as one moves down a group and non-metallic
character decreases.

Question 26
State how density and melting points of elements varies across a
period and down a group.
Answer
(i) Density — Density of elements across a period increases
gradually to maximum and then it decreases slightly. Down a group
density of elements increases gradually.
(ii) Melting point — Across a period from left to right, melting point
increase upto group 14(IV A) and then decreases. The melting point
of metals decrease down the group. The melting point of non-metals
increase going down a group

Question 27
State the general trend in periodicity in properties of oxides,
hydroxides, oxy-acids and hydrides of compounds of elements
across a period and down a group.
Answer
Below table shows the general trend in periodicity in properties of
oxides, hydroxides, oxy-acids and hydrides of compounds of
elements across a period and down a group:

  Across a period Down a group

Varies from strongly basic to

Oxides Varies from acidic to basic
strongly acidic

Varies from strongly basic to Varies from less basic to s

Hydroxides
amphoteric basic

Varies from weak oxy-acids to Varies from strong oxy-ac

Oxy-acids
strong oxy-acids weak oxy-acids

Varies from strongly basic to Varies from less acidic to

Hydrides
strongly acidic acidic

Question 28
State the relation between atomic number and atomic mass for light
elements. State which elements are considered radioactive giving
reasons.
Answer
Electronic configuration of lighter elements shows that the elements
which have an even number of proton, for example, atomic numbers
like _2^4\text{He}24He, _6^{12}\text{C}612C etc., have their
mass numbers twice the atomic numbers except for _4^9\
text{Be}49Be and _{18}^{40}\text{Ar}1840Ar.
Elements which have an odd number of protons like _3^7\
text{Li}37Li, _5^{11}\text{B}511B etc., have their mass number
twice the atomic numbers + 1 (A = 2Z + 1) except _7^{14}\
text{N}714N and _1^1\