PERIODIC TABLE OF ELEMENTS

4.1
THE PERIODIC TABLE OF ELEMENTS
Elements are arranged systematically in the periodic table in the order of increasing proton
number which enables :1. Elements with the same characteristics to be grouped into the same column
2. Elements with the same number of electron shells to be arranged in the same row
3. The separation of metal and non-metal elements.
The modern Periodic table of elements is a product of years of research and contributions
from various scientists. These are the few scientists who made significant contribution to the
development of Periodic Table of Elements:1. Antoinne Lavoiser
- He was the first chemist to classify substances including light and heat into
metals and non-metals
- Unsuccessful because he considered light, heat and a few other compounds as
elements.
2. Johann Dereiner (Law of Triads)
- He concluded that nature contains triads of elements (Law of Triads)
- The middle element had properties that were and average of the other two
members when ordered by the atomic weight.
3. John Newlands (Law of Octaves)
- any given element will show similar behavior to the eighth element following it in
the table
- it is known as the Law of Octaves
- considered a failure because it was only obeyed by the first 17 elements only.
- He showed the existence of a periodic pattern for the properties of elements
4. Lothar Meyer (Meyers Curve)
- Plotted the atomic volumes of the
elements against the atomic
weight, and found that the
chemical properties of the element
recur periodically.
- Also notice that the elements
occupying the corresponding
position of the curve show similar
chemical properties.
5. Dmitri Mendeleev (First Periodic Table)
- Arrange the elements according to the ascending order of atomic mass and put
all the elements that have same chemical properties in the same group.
- Left empty space in the periodic table for elements that haven't been discovery
at that time.
- Although he arranged the elements in ascending order of the atomic mass, he
changed the order if the chemical properties of the element did not match its
group.
- From the empty space present in his table, he even predicted the existence and
properties of unknown elements which he called eka-aluminum, eka-boron, and
eka-silicon.

pg. 1

6. H.J.G Moseley (Modernized PToE in order of increasing proton number)

- Managed to measure the proton number of atoms.
- Arranged the elements in the periodic table according to the ascending order of
the atomic number (proton number), but not the atomic mass, as done by
Mendeleev.
- Managed to predict the existence of four undiscovered elements from the proton
number.
The elements are arranged in the periodic table of elements in the order of increasing proton
number.
Each element is positioned according to the row and column in the table
Row is called PERIOD and shows the number of electron shells of an element
Column is GROUP and shows the number of valence electron for an element.

4.2
ANALYSING GROUP 18 ELEMENTS
Group 18 elements is also known as Noble Gases.
They are very inert
They exist as MONOATOMIC gas at room condition because Noble gases have already reached
stable electron arrangement which is a duplet for helium and octet for other atoms of other
noble gases.
So the element in G18 does not have to donate, accept or share electrons.
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF G18 ELEMENTS.
ELEMENTS
He

EXPLANATION
ATOMIC SIZE

pg. 2

Ne

Ar

Kr

Xe

Rn

The atomic size of the elements increase as we go down the group

The atomic size increases because the number of filled electron
shells increase.

MELTING POINT & BOILING POINT

Melting point & boiling point of group 18 elements are low
But it increases from He to Rn
Atomic size increase going down the group
Forces of attraction between atoms get stronger
More heat energy is needed to overcome the forces of attraction
between atoms.

DENSITY
Density is low but it increases gradually from He to Rn
Density increases because mass of atom increases as proton
number increases going down the group.

CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF GROUP 18 ELEMENTS

There is no chemical property for group 18 elements because each atom has achieved stable
octet / duplet electron arrangement.
Therefore there is no electron transfer or sharing between atoms.

USES OF GROUP 18 ELEMENTS

NOBLE GASES

USES

Helium

Neon

Argon

Krypton
Xenon
Radon

Used in airship since helium is less dense than air, inert and
doesnt burn in air
Also used in a gas mixture for deep-sea diving since solubility of
helium is low.
Neon emits light when high voltage electricity is passed through it
Used for advertising signs and fluorescent lights
Due to its inert property, normally used in filament bulbs as it will
not burn the metal and reduces evaporation of the metal filament
Also used in welding to provide inert atmosphere to reduce
oxidation rate of metal.
Used in fluorescent bulbs, flash bulbs and laser beams and high
speed photography
Used in light-emitting devices called xenon flash lamps
(photographic flashes and stroboscopic lamps).
Used in radiotherapy to kill cancer cell

pg. 3

4.3
ANALYSING GROUP 1 ELEMENTS
Group 1 elements are the most reactive elements in the Periodic Table of elements
The elements of Group 1 are all kept in paraffin oil or kerosene to avoid them from reacting
with oxygen and water in the air.
They exist as solid at room temperature

pg. 4

They are known as ALKALI METALS

The elements are called Group 1 elements since all of the elements have 1 valence electron

Elements

Symbo
l

Proton no.

Electron
configuration

No. of shells

Lithium
Sodium
Potassium
Rubidium

37

2.8.18.8.1

Caesium

55

2.8.18.18.8.1

Francium

87

2.8.18.32.18.8.1

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF GROUP 1 ELEMENTS

ELEMENTS
Li

Na

EXPLANATION
ATOMIC SIZE
The atomic size of the elements increase as we
go down the group
The atomic size increases because the number
of filled electron shells increase.
MELTING POINT & BOILING POINT

Rb

Cs

Fr

DENSITY
Density is low but it increases gradually from
He to Rn
Density increases because mass of atom
increases as proton number increases going
down the group.

Metals of Group 1 have silvery and shiny surface but tarnishes in air very fast
They are good conductors of electricity

CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF GROUP 1 ELEMENTS

All elements of group 1 have the same chemical properties because they are in the same
group and have the same number of valence electrons.
However, each element has different vigor in the reaction depending on their size.

pg. 5

The larger the size of atom of group 1 element, the more reactive the reaction will be.
Therefore, going down group 1, reactivity increases.
Electropositivity of group 1 increases going down the group too.
State the definition of electropositivity.

Explain why the potassium is more reactive than lithium.

CHEMICAL REACTIONS OF GROUP 1 ELEMENTS

1. REACTION WITH WATER
Elements

Lithium,
Li

Sodium,
Na

Potassium,
K

Observations
Li metal floats on water, fizzes and
reacts quickly.
The solution formed turns red litmus
paper blue
Na metal floats, darts about the
water and burns with a yellow flame.
The solution formed turns red litmus
paper blue
Na metal floats, darts about the
water and burns with a yellow flame.
The solution formed turns red litmus
paper blue

Reactions

2. REACTION WITH CHLORINE GAS

Elements
Lithium,
Li

Observations

Reactions

Burns with a brightflame

pg. 6

Sodium,
Na
Potassium,
K

Burns vigorously with a bright flame

Burns violently with a bright flame

CONCLUSION: Alkali metals react with chlorine/bromine gas to form metal chloride
which is white in colour.
3. REACTION WITH OXYGEN GAS
The product from the reaction with oxygen can be dissolved in water to form alkaline
solution (metal hydroxide solution)
Elements
Lithium,
Li
Sodium,
Na
Potassium,
K

Observations
Burns with a red flame.
Red litmus paper turns blue.
Burns with a bright yellow flame.
Red litmus paper turns blue.
Burns with a lilac flame.
Red litmus paper turns blue

Reactions

CONCLUSION: Alkali metals burn in oxygen to produce white metal oxide which then
dissolve in water to form alkaline metal hydroxide solutions. The presence of
hydroxide ions, OH- causes the solution to be alkaline and turns red litmus paper
blue.

SAMPLE SPM QUESTIONS

1. Arrange the order of reactivity of the G1 elements from lithium, Li to francium, Fr in order of
ascending reactivity
2. Predict how Rubidium would react with
o Oxygen gas, O2
o Water
o Chlorine gas, Cl2
Write an equation for each of the reaction
3. The electron arrangement of atom X, Y and Z are given below:

pg. 7

ATOM

ELECTRON
ARRANGEMENT

2.1

2.8.1

2.8.18.8.1

a) Among atom X, Y and Z which is the most reactive? Explain the difference in reactivity
b) Write an equation when oxide of Y is dissolved in water. What is observed when red
moist litmus paper is used on the solution

4.4
GROUP 17 ELEMENTS
Group 17 elements are known as Halogens
Elements

Symbo
l

Proton no.

Electron
configuration

No. of shells

Fluorine

pg. 8

Chlorine
Bromine

2.8.18.7

Iodine

37

2.8.18.18.7

Astatine

55

2.8.18.32.18.7

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF GROUP 17 ELEMENTS

The physical state changes from gaseous (fluorine, F 2) to liquid (bromine, Br2), and to solid
(Iodine, I2)
They exist as diatomic molecule at room temperature
ELEMENTS
F

Cl

EXPLANATION
ATOMIC SIZE
The atomic size of the elements increase as we
go down the group
The atomic size increases because the number
of filled electron shells increase.
MELTING POINT & BOILING POINT

Br

At

DENSITY
Density increases gradually from F to I
Density increases because mass of atom
increases as proton number increases going
down the group.

CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF GROUP 17 ELEMENTS

Group 17 elements are VEY REACTIVE, but REACTIVITY decreases going down the group
Going down the group, the size of the atom increase.

pg. 9

The outermost occupied shell of each halogen atom becomes further than the nucleus
The forces of attraction between nucleus and valence electron becomes weaker
It becomes harder for atom to accept electron
Electronegativity decrease
Reactivity of atom decreases.

CHEMICAL REACTIONS OF GROUP 17 ELEMENTS

1. Reaction with water, H2O
Solubility of group 17
elements decreases going
the group
Reaction of chlorine and

down
water :

2. Reaction with iron, Fe

Reacts readily for fluorine and chlorine but

reacts slowly in bromine and iodine.
Sodium hydroxide solution is used to
absorb
and neutralize the excess
chlorine gas.
Example : reaction of iron with chlorine gas.

3. Reaction with sodium hydroxide, NaOH

Reacts with chlorine gas to form sodium

chloride, sodium chlorate (I) and water.

Chemical equation : -

Therefore, experiments above shows that all halogens are reactive elements but their reactivity
decreases going down the group since the atomic size increase. The forces of attraction between
nucleus and valence electron get weaker. Harder for larger atom to accept electron.
Electronegativity decrease, reactivity decreases.

pg. 10

4.5

PERIOD 3 ELEMENTS
Elements
Proton no
Electron

Na
11

2.8.1
arrangement
Nucleus charge
+11
Radius
0.156
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Na

Mg
12

Al
13

Si
14

P
15

S
16

Cl
17

Ar
18

2.8.2

2.8.3

2.8.4

2.8.5

2.8.6

2.8.7

2.8.8

0.136

0.125

+14
0.117

0.110

0.104

+17
0.009

+18
0.001

Cl

Atomic radius decreases going across Period 3 (Left to right)

All the atoms of the elements of period 3 have three occupied

electron shells

Atomic radius

Proton number is increasing from sodium, Na to chlorine, Cl.

Force of attraction from the nucleus and valence electron increase

Atomic radius decreases.

Electronegativity increases going across the period.

Na

Size of atom becomes smaller

Electro
negativity

Forces of attraction between nucleus and valence electron increase.

Atoms are easier to accept electron.
Electronegativity increase.

Physical State

Physical state changes from solid to gas going across the period

Cl

Metallic
properties

Metallic properties . going across the period.

Changes from metal semi-metal non-metal
Na
Mg
Al
Si
P
S

Good electrical conductor

Elements
Proton no
Formation of

Na
11

Mg
12

Al
13

Si
14

Cl

Ar

Cant conduct electricity

P
15

S
16

Cl
17

Ar
18

oxides

pg. 11

Metals formed metal oxide when reacted with oxygen.

So metal oxides would show basic/ alkaline property.
Non-metals formed acidic oxide when reacted with oxygen.
Non-metal-oxides would show acidic properties.
Aluminiun is different. It would form amphoteric oxide and show both
alkaline and acidic properties.
So it can react with both acid and alkali.

So oxides of period 3 changes from :

Basic oxides amphoteric oxides acidic oxides

4.6
TRANSITION METAL
All transition elements are metals, therefore they have all the physical properties of metal
such as:1) High melting point and boiling point

They have strong metallic bond between atoms

High heat energy is needed to break the metallic bond.

Melting point and boiling point increase.

2) Hard
3) High density
4) High electrical conductivity

pg. 12

5) High tensile strength

6) Shiny surfaces
7) Ductile
8) Malleable
Transition elements have special characteristics: 1) FORM COLOURED COMPOUNDS AND IONS IN SOLUTE

Transition elements tend to form coloured compounds in solid or dissolved in

solvent.

Gemstones such as amethyst, emerald, ruby and sapphire has transition

elements in their crystals

Chromium (III) ions is green in colour, manganese (II) is pink in colour and copper
(II) is blue in colour.

2) CATALYTIC PROPERTIES

Transition elemnts have catalytic properties.

They can be used as catalyst to speed up a reaction.

3) MULTIPLE OXIDATION STATE

Transition metal can have a variable oxidation state, which means it can form
more than one ion.

For example, iron(II), Fe2+ and iron(III) Fe3+; copper(I), Cu+ and copper (II) Cu2+.

4) FORM COMPLEX IONS

Transition elements can form complex ions.

A complex ion is a polyatomic ions (positive or negative) consisting of a central

metal ion with other groups bonded to it.

pg. 13