3.1.2
Trends in the Periodic Table
Atomic Radius
Atomic Radius
There are key trends in atomic radius as we go across periods and when we go down groups.


Periodic trend
Periodic trend
- Atomic radius decreases along a period.
- This is because the number of protons in the nucleus increases across the period.
- As you add protons, you also add electrons. But these are all being added to the same shell, so this does not affect the radius.
- So each electron feels a stronger attraction to the nucleus and is held closer.


Periodic example
Periodic example
- In Period 3, sulfur has a smaller atomic radius than phosphorus.
- Sulfur has one more electron but still only fills up the same shell (3p) as phosphorus, so the radius is not affected.
- But sulfur has one more proton than phosphorus - this does affect the radius.
- Sulfur has a greater nuclear charge because of having more protons.
- This pulls the electrons closer.
- This means the atomic radius is smaller.


Group trend
Group trend
- Atomic radius increases down a group.
- This is because the number of electron shells increases down a group.
- Each subsequent electron shell is further from the nucleus.
- This effect outweighs the increase in proton number down the group.


Group example
Group example
- In Group 2, magnesium has a larger radius than beryllium.
- Magnesium has more electrons than beryllium and they occupy an additional electron shell.
- The extra electron shell is further from the nucleus.
- So the atomic radius is larger.
Ionisation Energy
Ionisation Energy
We see trends in ionisation energy across the periods and down the groups of the periodic table.


Periodic trend
Periodic trend
- Ionisation energy increases along a period.
- This is because the electrostatic attraction of each electron to the nucleus increases.
- The attraction increases because the proton number increases.


Periodic example
Periodic example
- In Period 3, chlorine has a greater nuclear charge than sulfur because it has a greater proton number.
- So the electrostatic charge between electrons and the nucleus in chlorine will be greater.
- So the ionisation energy is greater.


Group trend
Group trend
- Ionisation energy decreases down a group.
- This is because the outer electron is further from the nucleus down the group.
- The electrostatic attraction of the outer electron to the nucleus decreases down the group.


Group example
Group example
- In Group 2, magnesium is below beryllium.
- Magnesium fills up an extra electron shell than beryllium.
- This means an electron is further from the nucleus in magnesium and so the electrostatic attraction is less.
- So the ionisation energy of magnesium is lower than beryllium.
Melting Points
Melting Points
There are clear trends in the melting points across periods and down groups in the periodic table. We look at Period 3 to see this trend.


Structure on melting point
Structure on melting point
- For metals:
- The greater the number of valence electrons, the greater the melting point.
- For covalent compounds:
- Molecular solids have low melting points.
- Giant covalent structures have relatively high melting points.
,h_400,q_80,w_640.png)
,h_400,q_80,w_640.png)
Period trend
Period trend
- As you move along a period, you go from metals to giant covalent structures, to molecular solids.
- Using our knowledge of melting points of different structures from the previous slide:
- The melting points increase, peak sharply, and then decrease.
- We will look at Period 3 to showcase this trend.
,h_400,q_80,w_640.png)
,h_400,q_80,w_640.png)
Na, Mg, Al
Na, Mg, Al
- These all have metallic structures.
- Melting point and boiling point increase from Na to Al.
- This is because each element donates one more electron to the sea of free electrons.
- The electrostatic attractions are greater, so the melting point rises.


Si
Si
- Silicon has the highest melting point.
- This is because it has a giant covalent structure.
- To melt silicon, you must break strong covalent bonds, which requires a lot of energy.
,h_400,q_80,w_640.png)
,h_400,q_80,w_640.png)
P, S, Cl, Ar
P, S, Cl, Ar
- These elements are simple molecules.
- They are held together by Van der Waals forces.
- Sulfur has the highest melting point of the four because it exists as molecules of S8.
- This means it has a lot of electrons per molecule, so has stronger Van der Waals attractions.
- By contrast, P exists as P4 and Cl exists as Cl2.
1Structure - Models of the Particulate of Matter
1.1Introduction to the Particulate Model of Matter
1.2The Nuclear Atom
1.3Electron Configuration
1.4Counting Particles by Mass: The Mole
1.6Elements, Compounds & Mixtures
1.7States of Matter & Changes of State
1.8Reacting Masses &. Volumes
1.9Solutions
2Structure - Models of Bonding & Structure
2.1The Ionic Model
2.2The Covalent Model
2.3Covalent Structures
2.4The Metallic Model
2.5From Models to Materials
2.6Valence Electrons & Ionic Compounds
2.7Molecular Shape
3Structure - Classification of Matter
3.1The Periodic Table: Classification of Elements
3.2Periodic Trends
3.3Group 1 Alkali Metals
3.4Halogens
3.5Noble gases, group 18
3.6Functional Groups: Classification of Organic
3.7Functional Group Chemistry
3.8Alkanes
3.9Alcohols
4Reactivity - What Drives Chemical Reaction?
4.1Endothermic & Exothermic Reactions
4.2Enthalpy of Reaction, Formation, & Hess' Law
5Reactivity - How Much, How Fast & How Far?
5.1Kinetics
5.2Rates of Reaction
5.3Stoichometry
5.4Le Châtelier’s Principle
5.5Introduction to Equilibrium
5.6Equilibrium Constant
5.7Reaction Quotient & Equilibrium Constant
6Reactivity - The Mechanisms of Chemical Change
6.1Proton Transfer Reactions
6.2The pH Scale
6.3Strong & Weak Acids and Bases
6.4Acid Deposition
6.5Types of Organic Reactions
6.6Oxidation & Reduction
6.7Electrochemical Cells
6.9Acid-Base Titrations
6.9.1Titration Calculation Weak Acid & Strong Base
6.9.2Titration Experimental Detail
6.9.3Extended Response - Titration
6.9.4Titration Calculations
6.9.5Titration Curves
6.9.6Titration Calculation Strong Acid & Weak Base
6.9.7IB Multiple Choice - Titrations
6.9.8Polyprotic Acids
6.9.9Titration Calculations Strong Acid & Strong Base
6.9.10Titrations Curves 2
7Measurement, Data Processing & Analysis
7.1Uncertainties & Errors in Measurements & Results
7.2Graphical Techniques
7.3Spectroscopic Identification of Organic Compounds
7.4Infrared Spectroscpy
Jump to other topics
1Structure - Models of the Particulate of Matter
1.1Introduction to the Particulate Model of Matter
1.2The Nuclear Atom
1.3Electron Configuration
1.4Counting Particles by Mass: The Mole
1.6Elements, Compounds & Mixtures
1.7States of Matter & Changes of State
1.8Reacting Masses &. Volumes
1.9Solutions
2Structure - Models of Bonding & Structure
2.1The Ionic Model
2.2The Covalent Model
2.3Covalent Structures
2.4The Metallic Model
2.5From Models to Materials
2.6Valence Electrons & Ionic Compounds
2.7Molecular Shape
3Structure - Classification of Matter
3.1The Periodic Table: Classification of Elements
3.2Periodic Trends
3.3Group 1 Alkali Metals
3.4Halogens
3.5Noble gases, group 18
3.6Functional Groups: Classification of Organic
3.7Functional Group Chemistry
3.8Alkanes
3.9Alcohols
4Reactivity - What Drives Chemical Reaction?
4.1Endothermic & Exothermic Reactions
4.2Enthalpy of Reaction, Formation, & Hess' Law
5Reactivity - How Much, How Fast & How Far?
5.1Kinetics
5.2Rates of Reaction
5.3Stoichometry
5.4Le Châtelier’s Principle
5.5Introduction to Equilibrium
5.6Equilibrium Constant
5.7Reaction Quotient & Equilibrium Constant
6Reactivity - The Mechanisms of Chemical Change
6.1Proton Transfer Reactions
6.2The pH Scale
6.3Strong & Weak Acids and Bases
6.4Acid Deposition
6.5Types of Organic Reactions
6.6Oxidation & Reduction
6.7Electrochemical Cells
6.9Acid-Base Titrations
6.9.1Titration Calculation Weak Acid & Strong Base
6.9.2Titration Experimental Detail
6.9.3Extended Response - Titration
6.9.4Titration Calculations
6.9.5Titration Curves
6.9.6Titration Calculation Strong Acid & Weak Base
6.9.7IB Multiple Choice - Titrations
6.9.8Polyprotic Acids
6.9.9Titration Calculations Strong Acid & Strong Base
6.9.10Titrations Curves 2
7Measurement, Data Processing & Analysis
7.1Uncertainties & Errors in Measurements & Results
7.2Graphical Techniques
7.3Spectroscopic Identification of Organic Compounds
7.4Infrared Spectroscpy
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