The periodic table
Year 11
The periodic table
• This is the arrangement of atoms of elements
according to increasing atomic number such
that elements with the same characteristics
find themselves in the same group.
• Columns are called groups and rows are called
periods.
Groups
• There are eight groups on the periodic table.
• These are group I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII and O
Elements in the same group have the same
number of valence electrons.
Example: Li = 2, 1
Na = 2,8,1
K = 2,8,8,1
Groups conti….
Elements in the same group have similar chemical
properties.
• This is because they have the same number of
valence electrons and it is these that enter into a
chemical reaction.
• Some groups have special names.
Group 1 = alkali metals (most reactive metals)
Group 2 = alkaline earth metals
Group 7 = halogens (most reactive non – metals)
Group O = noble gases (unreactive)
Periods
• These are rows of elements on the periodic
table.
• Elements in the same rows have the same
number of shells.
Trends in groups
• Despite that fact that elements in a group have
similar chemical reaction, they show trends.
Trends in groups
• example: in group 1, reactivity increases down
the group. Reactivity depends on how fast
valence electrons are lost. This is because
more shells are added to the atoms thereby
shielding the effect of the positive nucleus on
the valence electrons. This makes it easy for
the valence electrons to be lost making them
very reactive.
Trends in periods
• Elements move from metals to non – metals
as one moves from left to right across the
period.
• This clear separation is shown by the zig – zag
markings on the table
Group 1
• This group is known as alkali metals
• They include lithium, sodium, potassium,
rubidium, ceasium and francium.
Physical properties
1. They are good conductors of electricity and
heat.
Even though they are metals,
2. They have low melting points compared to
other metals.
3. The are soft compared to other metals. Can
be cut with knife.
4. They have low density compared to other
metals. They float on water while reacting.
Trends in physical properties
• Softness increases down the group. This is as a
result of weaker bonding down the group.
• Density increases down the group. This is
because atomic radii increases down the
group.
• Melting point decreases down the group.
Why?
Chemical properties
1. They react vigorously with water to produce
hydrogen gas and an alkali that turns red litmus
blue.
Na + H2O === Na(OH) + H2
However, reactivity increase down they
group. Li floats and fizzes, Na jumps across the
water, a lot of heat is produced in case of K so
it melts and the hydrogen catches fire.
Chemical properties G1
2. They react with chlorine gas with heated.
Bright flames are produced and chlorides are
formed. Reactivity increases down the group.
3. They react with oxygen to produce oxides.
2Na + O2 ==== Na2O
This means that they react with air and
moisture. For this reason they are stored in
oil.
REACTIVITY
• This depends on the ability of the atom of an
element to lost valence electrons faster.
• Since G1 elements have just an electron in
their outermost shell, it is easy to lose just one
that many. As such G1 elements are the most
reactive metals.
Reactivity increases down the group
• This is because more shells are added to the
atoms thereby shielding the effect of the
positive nucleus on the valence electrons. This
makes it easy for the valence electrons to be
lost making them very reactive.
Group 7
• These elements are also called halogens.
• They include fluorine, chlorine, bromine,
iodine and astatine.
Physical properties
1. Coloured gases
Fluorine = pale yellow gas
Chlorine = green gas
Bromine = red vapour
Iodine = purple vapour
2. They are poisonous gases
Chemical properties
• They exist as diatoms. i.e. Cl2, I2
• They are the most reactive non – metals.
Most reactive because they need only one
electron to have a fully filled configuration. As
such they are quick to receive one electron
making them the most reactive non – metals.
Trends in physical properties
• Down the group,
1. Colour of gases gets deeper.
2. Density increases
3. Boiling point increases because bonds gets
stronger.
4. At room temperature, they move from gas to
solid. F2 – gas, Chlorine – gas, bromine – red
liquid, iodine – black solid
Trends in chemical properties
• Reactivity decreases down the group.
• This is because reactivity depends on the ease
of loosing electron. Due to the fact that the
shielding effect increases, the effective
nuclear charge is reduced. This make it
difficult for atoms to add on electron. Thus
reactivity decreases as you go down the
group.
Displacement reactions of halogens
• A reactive halogen will displace a less reactive
halogen from its compound.
KBr + Cl2 ==== KCL + Br2
White orange
Group O
• These elements are called noble gases.
• They include helium, neon, argon, krypton and
xenon
Physical properties
• Colourless gas which occurs naturally in air.
• They are non - metals
Chemical properties
• They are unreactive
This is because they have fully filled
configurations.
• Mono atomic gases.
Because they neither gain or lose electrons to
form bonds.
Trends in physical properties
• Down the group,
1. Density increases because the size and mass
increases.
2. Boiling points increase
Transition metals
• These are a category of metals between group
2 and 3 on the periodic table.
• Examples are iron, vanadium, copper, etc.
• These elements do not have a particular
group.
Physical properties
1. They are hard, tough and strong than group 1
and 2.
2. They have a higher density compared to
group 1 metals.
3. Apart from mercury that has a low melting
point, they have a high melting point.
4. Like all metals, they are malleable and
ductile.
5. Are good conductors of heat.
Chemical properties
1. They have variable oxidation states. E.g. copper
and iron have oxidation states of +1 or +2 and +2
or +3 respectively.
2. They form coloured compounds unlike group 1
& 2 metals.
3. They much less reactive compared to group 1
metals.
4. they form more than one compound with an
element. E.g. iron (II) oxide and iron (III) oxide
5. Most from complex ions. E.g. [Cu(H2O)2(NH3)4]
2+
uses
• Construction due to their strength. Iron is
normally used in its alloy form.
• They or their oxides are used as catalysts. eg. Iron
and vanadium (IV) oxide are the catalysts for the
Haber and contact process respectively.
• Used for making cables due to their high
electrical conductivity.
• Used in making alloys. E.g. chromium is used in
making stainless steel.
Assignment
• Present on the general trends across the
period.
