Chemistry 201 Chapter 7

Chapter 7: Periodic Properties of the Elements

7.1 Development of the Periodic Table

  • (1869-1870) Mendeleev and Meyer: independently proposed elements could be represented as periodic functions of their atomic weights.

7.2 Atomic Number and Modern Periodic Table

  • (1913) Mosley: introduced atomic numbers, arranging elements in order of increasing atomic number, leading to the modern periodic table.

7.3 Group Similarities

  • Elements in the same group share similar chemical properties due to similar electronic configurations.

  • Example: Oxygen (O) and Sulfur (S) are in Group 6 with the same valence configuration: [He] 2s2 2p4 (O) and [Ne] 3s2 3p4 (S).

Periodic Trends Covered in This Chapter

  • Effective Nuclear Charge (Zeff)

  • Sizes of Atoms and Ions

  • Ionization Energy

  • Electron Affinity

7.4 Effective Nuclear Charge (Zeff)

  • Interaction between charged particles: electrons attract the nucleus and repel each other. This dual interaction defines the Zeff experienced by electrons.

Example: Sodium (Na)
  • Electron Configuration: Na = [Ne] 3s1

  • Valence electron is shielded by 10 core electrons, resulting in Zeff of +1 for the outer electron.

7.5 Calculation of Zeff

  • Formula: Zeff = Z - S

    • Where Z = atomic number, S = number of shielding electrons.

  • Example: Lithium (Li) and Beryllium (Be) show shielding effects by their core electrons against the positive charge of the nucleus.

7.6 Trends in Zeff

  • Within a Group: Zeff remains constant.

  • Within a Period: Zeff increases from left to right due to minimal shielding from electrons in the same shell.

7.7 Atomic and Ionic Sizes

  • Bonding Atomic Radius: Half the distance between two covalently bonded nuclei.

  • Non-bonding Atomic Radius: Closest separation of isolated atoms.

  • Trends:

    • Within a group: Atomic size increases down the group (increasing principal quantum number).

    • Within a period: Atomic size decreases from left to right (increasing Zeff).

7.8 Ion Sizes

  • Ionic size varies based on charge, number of electrons, and electron orbitals.

    • Cations (e.g., Na+) are smaller than their parent atoms due to electron removal and reduced repulsion.

    • Anions (e.g., Cl-) are larger than their parent atoms due to added electrons increasing repulsion.

Trends in Ionic Sizes

  • Within a group: Ions increase in size down the group.

  • Within a period: Ion size decreases from left to right due to increasing Zeff.

  • Iso-electronic Ions: Same number of electrons, size decreases with increasing nuclear charge.

7.9 Ionization Energy (I)

  • Definition: Energy needed to remove an electron from a gaseous atom or ion.

    • Example: Na(g) → Na+(g) + e-

  • First Ionization Energy (I1): Energy to remove the first electron. E.g., I1 for Na = 495 kJ/mol.

  • Trend: I2 > I1 > I3 (greater energy required for successive ionizations).

Trends in Ionization Energy

  • Within a Group: Ionization energy decreases from top to bottom (valence electrons further from nucleus).

  • Within a Period: Ionization energy increases from left to right (increasing Zeff and decreasing size).

7.10 Electron Affinity (EA)

  • Definition: Energy change when an electron is added to a gaseous atom.

  • Example: Cl(g) + e− → Cl−(g)

  • General Trends: EA becomes more negative across a period except for noble gases.

7.11 Summary of Periodic Trends

  • Within a Period:

    1. Ionization energy increases.

    2. Electron affinity becomes more exothermic.

    3. Size decreases.

    4. Effective nuclear charge increases.

    5. Metallic character decreases.

  • Within a Group:

    1. Ionization energy decreases.

    2. Electron affinity decreases (less exothermic).

    3. Size increases.

    4. Effective nuclear charge remains the same.

    5. Metallic character increases.

Properties of Metals, Nonmetals, and Metalloids

  • Trends in Metallic Character:

    • Group 1A (Alkali Metals) are highly reactive and soft. Reactivity increases down the group, producing hydroxides with water.

    • Group 2A (Alkaline Earth Metals) exhibit moderate reactivity with water, increasing down the group.

Alkali Metals vs. Alkaline Earth Metals

  • Alkali Metals: Low densities, low ionization energies, only found in compounds.

  • Alkaline Earth Metals: Higher densities than alkali metals, moderate ionization energies.

Nonmetals and Their Properties

  • High electron affinities; typically form anions.

  • Compounds between metals and nonmetals are usually ionic, while those between nonmetals are molecular.

7.12 Group Trends in Selected Nonmetals

  • Group 6A (Chalcogenes): Oxygen and sulfur are nonmetals; allotropes like O2 and O3 exist.

  • Group 7A (Halogens): Nonmetals with large, negative electron affinities, leading to reactions with metals.

  • Group 8A (Noble Gases): High ionization energies, positive electron affinities, and limited reactivity.