Activity 8: Periodic Table Trends

Properties Down a Group Across a Period

1. Atomic /ionic Radius Trend: Down group 1 or 17, atomic radius /ionic Trend: From L-R, atomic radius decreases
radius increases.
The atomic radius is the Explanation:
distance between the nucleus
and the outer edge of the • Nuclear charge increases (no. of protons
electron cloud. It is ½ the increases)
distance between the nuclei • Number of occupied electron shells
of 2 similar atoms. increases (by 1 occupied electron shell of
8 electrons)
• Repulsion (Shielding effect) of the inner
shells of electrons increases
• Nuclear attraction for the valence
electron weakens
• Valence electrons are further away from
the nucleus.
*Shielding - electrons in the inner orbitals block
the attraction between the nucleus and the
Explanation:
valence electrons due to electron-electron repulsion.
It is affected by nuclear • Nuclear charge increases (no. of protons increases by 1)
attraction for the valence • There is an addition of 1 electron in the same valence
electron(s). shell. → No shielding effect.
• Nuclear attraction for the valence electrons strengthens,
• Valence electrons are closer to the nucleus,
 Activity 8: Periodic Table Trends

2. Melting /boiling point Trend: Down Group 1, melting & boiling points Trend: Across Period 3
decrease.
Melting and boiling point will From L to R, melting &
affect the physical state of the Explanation: boiling points increase
element. from Na to Si then
• During melting, the strong electrostatic forces of decrease sharply to P.
It is affected by bonding and attraction between the positive ion & the sea of A slight increase from
structure of the substance valence electrons is overcome. (Metallic bonding, P to S then followed a
giant metallic strutcture decrease from S to Ar.
• Down the group,
- Atomic radius increases
- electrostatic forces of attraction decreases
Explanation:
between positive ion & sea of valence electrons
decreases
Na to Al are metals thus they have giant metallic structure
- less energy to overcome the weaker electrostatic
with strong electrostatic forces of attraction between metal
forces of attraction.
cations & the sea of moving valence electrons.
The strong electrostatic forces of attraction increases from
Trend: Down Group 17, melting & boiling points Na to Al thus more energy is required to overcome → m.p
increase increases.
Si has a giant covalent structure with strong covalent bonds
Explanation: between its atoms, thus a lot of energy is needed to
overcome → m.p is even higher.
• During melting, the intermolecular forces of
attraction is overcome. P to S have a simple covalent structure with weak
• Down the group, intermolecular forces of attraction whereas Si has a giant
• the atomic radius increases, the molecule is covalent structure.
larger, Thus melting point decreases drastically from Si to P.
• the intermolecular forces of attraction is greater P consists of molecules of 4 P atoms (P4) whereas
/stronger S consists of molecules of 8 S atoms (S8)
• more energy is needed to overcome the stronger S being a bigger molecule has stronger intermolecular
intermolecular forces of attraction. forces of attraction, thus melting point increases from P to
S.
 Activity 8: Periodic Table Trends

Cl consists of diatomic molecules (Cl2) are smaller than S

molecules thus has weaker intermolecular forces of
attraction, melting point decreases.
Ar exists as single atoms thus it is even smaller in size with
even weaker forces of attraction.
Thus Argon’s melting and boiling point is the lowest in
Period 3.

3. First ionization energy Trend: Trend:

The first ionisation energy of

an atom is the minimum
energy required to remove
the first electron from a
neutral atom in its ground
state to form a positively
charge ion.

It depends on the atomic Down the group, the first ionisation energy decreases.
radius of the element
Explanation:
Down a group, From L to R, the first ionization energy increases with the
following exceptions:- Be to B, N to O, Mg to Al, P to S.
• the atomic radius increases (see explanation for the
trend of atomic radius) Explanation:
• there is weaker nuclear attraction for the valence From L to R, atomic radius decreases (see explanation for
electron, the trend of atomic radius)
• less energy is needed to remove an electron.
• Thus ionization energy decreases. • nuclear attraction for the valence electrons increases,
• more energy is needed to remove an electron.
• Thus, the ionization energy increases.
 Activity 8: Periodic Table Trends

4. Electron affinity Trend down Group 17:

The 1st electron affinity of an Electron affinity decreases down the group 17 – less
element is the energy negative values.
change when 1 electron is
added to the atom to form 1 • Atomic radius increases as more energy levels
of electrons are added.
• Outermost energy level is further away from
nucleus → less attraction for electron to be
added.
➢ Less energy is given out to add one electron to
the atom
➢ Lower electron affinity.
anion.
Trend across Period 3:

Electron affinity increases across a period – more

negative values
E.g. Across period 3,
• Atomic radius decreases as effective nuclear
charge increases
• Increase in attraction for electron to be added to
valence shell.
➢ More energy is given out to add one electron
to the atom
➢ Higher electron affinity.
 Activity 8: Periodic Table Trends

5. Electronegativity Trend down group 17:

Electronegativity of an • Atomic radius increases as more energy levels

element is a measure of the of electrons are added.
ability of its atom to attract • Outermost energy level is further away from
electrons in a covalent bond. nucleus → less attraction for bonding electron.
➢ Lower electronegativity.

Electronegativity increases across a period. E.g.

Across Period 3,

• Atomic radius decreases as effective nuclear

charge increases.
• Outermost energy level is nearer to nucleus →
more attraction for bonding electron.
➢ Higher electronegativity.