Chemistry Class Notes

Topic: The Periodic Table and Periodic Trends

1. Introduction to the Periodic Table
Definition: The periodic table is a tabular arrangement of the chemical elements,
organized by increasing atomic number, electron configurations, and recurring
chemical properties.
History:
Dmitri Mendeleev: Created one of the first periodic tables in 1869, arranging
elements by atomic mass and properties.
Modern Periodic Table: Organized by atomic number (number of protons).
2. Structure of the Periodic Table
Groups (Families): Vertical columns (18 total) that group elements with similar
chemical properties.
Group 1: Alkali metals (e.g., sodium, potassium).
Group 2: Alkaline earth metals (e.g., magnesium, calcium).
Group 17: Halogens (e.g., fluorine, chlorine).
Group 18: Noble gases (e.g., helium, neon).
Periods: Horizontal rows (7 total) where properties change progressively across a
period.
Blocks:
s-block: Groups 1 and 2.
p-block: Groups 13-18.
d-block: Transition metals (Groups 3-12).
f-block: Lanthanides and actinides.
3. Atomic Structure and Electron Configuration
Atomic Number (Z): Number of protons in the nucleus.
Atomic Mass: Weighted average mass of an atom’s isotopes.
Electron Configuration: Distribution of electrons in an atom’s orbitals.
Example: Carbon (C) - 1s² 2s² 2p²
4. Periodic Trends
Atomic Radius:
Definition: The distance from the nucleus to the outermost electron shell.
Trend: Decreases across a period (left to right), increases down a group (top to
bottom).
Reason: Increasing nuclear charge pulls electrons closer across a period;
additional electron shells increase size down a group.
Ionization Energy:
Definition: The energy required to remove an electron from an atom in its gaseous
state.
Trend: Increases across a period, decreases down a group.
Reason: Higher nuclear charge increases hold on electrons across a period;
increased distance and shielding reduce hold down a group.
Electronegativity:
Definition: The ability of an atom to attract electrons in a chemical bond.
Trend: Increases across a period, decreases down a group.
Reason: Higher nuclear charge and smaller atomic radius across a period; increased
distance and shielding down a group.
Electron Affinity:
Definition: The change in energy when an electron is added to a neutral atom.
Trend: Generally becomes more negative across a period, less negative down a group.
Reason: Greater attraction to added electrons across a period; increased distance
and shielding down a group.
5. Key Concepts and Definitions
Metals, Nonmetals, and Metalloids:
Metals: Good conductors of heat and electricity, malleable, ductile (e.g., iron,
copper).
Nonmetals: Poor conductors, brittle in solid form (e.g., sulfur, oxygen).
Metalloids: Properties intermediate between metals and nonmetals (e.g., silicon,
germanium).
Valence Electrons: Electrons in the outermost shell, important for chemical
bonding.
Determination: Based on group number (e.g., Group 1 elements have 1 valence
electron).
Isoelectronic: Species with the same number of electrons (e.g.,
Na
+
Na
+
and
Ne
Ne).
6. Applications of the Periodic Table
Predicting Chemical Reactions: Elements in the same group often react similarly
(e.g., alkali metals react vigorously with water).
Determining Element Properties: Trends help predict physical and chemical
properties.
Designing Compounds: Knowledge of valence electrons aids in predicting bonding
patterns and molecular structures.
7. Review Questions
How is the modern periodic table organized?
What is the trend for atomic radius across a period and down a group?
Define ionization energy and describe its trend on the periodic table.
Why do elements in the same group exhibit similar chemical properties?
What is electronegativity, and how does it change across a period and down a group?