Chemistry A level (AQA)

Module 2: Inorganic chemistry

3.2.1 Periodicity
3.2.1 Periodicity
 3.2.1 Periodicity
Classification
• Element is classified as s, p, d or f block according to its position in
the periodic table, which is determined by its proton number
• It can be used to explain similarities in elements and trends in their
properties- based on their electronic configuration
• An element’s block represents where their highest energy electrons
are
• In s block (metals) tend to get Helium is not a P block element it is placed above noble
more reactive going down gases for its properties
Hydrogen sometimes placed above group 1 as it forms
group 1⁺ ions but does not share any properties with group 1
• Non-metals tend to get less Sometimes placed above group 7 as it forms 1⁻ ions and
reactive going down the group can bond covalently
 3.2.1 Periodicity
Periodicity
Regular occurrence of the properties of elements
when they are arranged in atomic number as in the
periodic table
Melting and boiling points across period 3
 3.2.1 Periodicity

Sodiu
Melting and boiling points across period 3
m,
• Increases across period as the metal-metal bonds get stronger
• This is because, going across a period, cations have an increasing +ve charge, an
magn
increasing number of delocalised electrons (per cation) and decreasing atomic radius
esium
,

alumi • Macromolecular –tetrahedral structure

nium • Strong covalent bonds link all the atoms, so a lot of energy is needed to break the
Silicon bonds

• P₄, S₈, Cl₂ are molecular structures

Phosph
orus, • van der Waals hold the molecules together (which are weak, hence low boiling point)
sulfur,
chlorine
, argon
 3.2.1 Periodicity
Trend in atomic radius across a period
Across a period the number of protons increases, so does
nuclear charge however shielding and number of shells
does not- this means electrons are pulled closer to
nucleus due to stronger electrostatic forces of attraction
between the protons in the nucleus and the electrons
 3.2.1 Periodicity
First ionisation energies
First ionisation energy= energy required to convert 1 mole
of isolated gaseous atoms into 1 mole of singly positively
charged gaseous ions
• Decreases going down any group
• General increase across period 3 as proton number
increases so outer electrons have a stronger attraction to
the nucleus
 3.2.1 Periodicity
First ionisation energies
Drop between magnesium and First ionisation energy e⁻ removal
aluminium Outermost electron
First ionisation energy in Al in 3p orbital
• In aluminium, p-electron is in
Outermost electron
a higher energy level than
in Mg in 3s orbital

magnesium’s so requires less

energy to remove it
Drop between phosphorous and sulfur
• An electron pair in an orbital is 3p orbitals in
phosphorous
easier to remove than an
electron on its own, as the
3p orbitals in
electrons in the same sulfur
orbital repel each other