Inorganic Chemistry: Periodic Trends and Properties - SS3 Chemistry Past Questions and Answers - page 1

The Periodic Table: Historical Development and Trends

1.    Historical Development:

The periodic table is a tabular arrangement of chemical elements based on their atomic number, electronic configurations, and chemical properties. Dmitri Mendeleev is credited with the development of the first periodic table in 1869. He arranged elements in order of increasing atomic mass, noticing that certain properties repeated periodically. Mendeleev left gaps for undiscovered elements and accurately predicted their properties based on the patterns he observed.

Later, with advancements in atomic theory and the discovery of protons, neutrons, and electrons, the modern periodic table was established, arranging elements by increasing atomic numbers.

2.    Periods and Groups:

The periodic table consists of horizontal rows called periods and vertical columns called groups. Each period represents a new energy level or electron shell, while each group shares similar chemical properties due to the same number of valence electrons.

3.    Periodic Trends:

a.    Atomic Radius: Moving across a period from left to right, atomic radius decreases due to increased effective nuclear charge, pulling electrons closer to the nucleus. Moving down a group, the atomic radius increases due to additional electron shells.

b.    Ionization Energy: Ionization energy is the energy required to remove an electron from a neutral atom. Across a period, ionisation energy increases due to the stronger attraction between electrons and the nucleus. Down a group, ionisation energy decreases as electrons are farther from the nucleus and experience weaker attraction.

c.     Electronegativity: Electronegativity is the tendency of an atom to attract electrons in a chemical bond. Similar to ionisation energy, electronegativity increases across a period and decreases down a group.

d.    Metallic Character: Metallic character refers to how readily an element loses electrons to form positive ions. Moving across a period, the metallic character decreases as elements become less likely to lose electrons. Down a group, the metallic character increases due to the ease of losing valence electrons.

Significance of Trends:

The periodic trends are vital in understanding the properties and behaviour of elements:

1.    Reactivity: Elements in the same group exhibit similar chemical properties due to the same number of valence electrons. For instance, alkali metals (Group 1) are highly reactive, readily forming positive ions, while noble gases (Group 18) are inert due to their stable electron configurations.

2.    Formation of Compounds: Trends in electronegativity and ionisation energy influence the formation of chemical compounds. Elements with high electronegativity are likely to gain electrons and form negative ions (anions), while elements with low ionisation energy readily lose electrons to form positive ions (cations).

3.    Atomic Size: Atomic radius affects the physical and chemical properties of elements. Larger atoms have more electron shells, leading to increased electron shielding and lower effective nuclear charge, which impacts reactivity and bonding.

In conclusion, the periodic table serves as a fundamental tool for understanding the properties and trends of elements. The arrangement of elements in periods and groups reveals recurring patterns in atomic size, ionisation energy, electronegativity, and metallic character. These trends provide valuable insights into the behaviour of elements and their interactions in chemical reactions and bonding.