3.2.5

Period 3 Oxides

Test yourself

Oxide Melting Points

The oxides of period 3 display a complex trend in their melting points.

Illustrative background for The three metalsIllustrative background for The three metals ?? "content

The three metals

  • The first three oxides are ionic and have high melting points.
    • Magnesium oxide has the highest melting point of the three.
    • The electronegativity difference between aluminium and oxygen is smaller, so the aluminium ions attract the oxygen’s electrons more.
    • This makes the bond partially covalent and lowers melting point.
Illustrative background for Si, P and SIllustrative background for Si, P and S ?? "content

Si, P and S

  • Silicon dioxide is a giant covalent structure and has the highest melting point of the non-metals in the third period.
  • Sulfur and phosphorus oxides have molecular covalent structures.
    • P4O10 has the highest melting point of the two because it has more atoms and so stronger van der Waals forces.
    • SO3 has the lowest melting point.
Illustrative background for GraphIllustrative background for Graph ?? "content

Graph

  • Sulfur trioxide is a solid at room temp but has a low melting point (lower than the P).
  • SO2 is a gas at room temperature by contrast.

Oxide Acid/Base Behaviours

The oxides of period 3 elements display a gradual increase in acidity along the period when dissolved in water.

Illustrative background for Na and MgIllustrative background for Na and Mg ?? "content

Na and Mg

  • Na2O(s) + H2O(l) → 2NaOH(aq)
    • Sodium hydroxide is a strong base, so the pH of this solution will be between 12 and 14.
  • MgO(s) + H2O(l) → Mg(OH)2(aq)
    • Magnesium hydroxide is a weak base, so the pH of this solution will be between 9 and 10.
Illustrative background for Al and SiIllustrative background for Al and Si ?? "content

Al and Si

The oxides of these elements do not react with water.

Illustrative background for The acidsIllustrative background for The acids ?? "content

The acids

  • P4O10(s) + 6H2O(l) → 4H3PO4(aq)
    • This is phosphoric acid. A solution of this will have a pH of ~ 0-2.
  • SO2(g) + H2O(l) → H2SO3(aq)
    • This is called sulfurous acid. It will have a pH between 0 and 2.
  • SO3(l) + H2O(l) → H2SO4(aq)
    • This is sulfuric acid. It is one of the strongest acids, and will have a pH of ~ 0-2.
Illustrative background for Sulfur oxo-acid structuresIllustrative background for Sulfur oxo-acid structures ?? "content

Sulfur oxo-acid structures

  • Above are the structures of the sulfur oxo-acids. Both are diprotic and will lose two protons in solution.
Illustrative background for Phosphoric acidIllustrative background for Phosphoric acid ?? "content

Phosphoric acid

  • Above is the structure of phosphoric acid. It is triprotic, so will lose three protons in solution and form a tri-anion.

Jump to other topics

1Structure - Models of the Particulate of Matter

2Structure - Models of Bonding & Structure

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

3.10Halogenoalkanes

4Reactivity - What Drives Chemical Reaction?

5Reactivity - How Much, How Fast & How Far?

6Reactivity - The Mechanisms of Chemical Change

7Measurement, Data Processing & Analysis

Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium

  • Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions

  • Mini-mock exams based on your study history

  • Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books

Get started with Seneca Premium