Bicol University

(BS Food technology)

College of Science
LABORATORY ACTIVITIES
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY
Sem 1 2015-2016

Chem 1General Chemistry

PERIODIC PROPERTIES OF THE ELEMENTS

Activity No. _____
Across a period and within a group of the periodic table, trends in atomic size, ionization
energy and electron affinity can be observed. In understanding these trends in atomic properties,
knowledge of effective nuclear charge and electron configuration is essential.
The effective nuclear charge, Zeff, is defined by the following equation:
Zef

where Z = nuclear charge

= shielding constant

The greater the Zeff, the greater is the attraction between the nucleus and the electrons being
drawn closer to the nucleus. Consequently, atomic size is reduced.
Electron shielding greatly affects Zeff. The greater the shielding constant, the lower is the Z eff
resulting in lesser attraction between the nucleus and the electrons.
Electrons in the inner shell (lower n values) effectively shield the electrons in the outer shell
(higher n values). However, electrons in the same shell do not effectively shield one another. For
example, let us consider the electrons in third main energy level (n = 3). The electrons in the third
main energy level do not effectively shield each other but the electrons in the first and second main
energy level levels (n = 1, 2) effectively shield the electrons in the third main energy level from
the nucleus.
ATOMIC SIZE
It is difficult to define the size of an atom. However, its atomic radius can be estimated. In
metals like sodium, their atomic radius is assumed to be half of the internuclear distance between
adjacent atoms. Similarly, for diatomic molecules like chlorine, their atomic radius is assumed as
half of the distance between the two nuclei of the molecule.
The atomic radius of the elements in the second period is given below. Try to recognize the
trend in atomic radius across the second and third periods.
Table 1. Atomic Radius of the Elements in the Second Period
Element
Li
Be
B
C
Atomic Radius (picometer, ppm)
155
112
98
91

N
92

O
73

F
72

Ne
71

Table 2. Atomic Radius of the Elements in the Third Period

Element
Na
Mg
Al
Si
Atomic Radius (picometer, ppm)
190
160 143 132

P
128

S
127

Cl
99

Ar
98

What is the general trend in the atomic radius across the period? How can you account for
this trend?
Now let us see the trend in the atomic size within the group. The atomic radius of groups 1,
2, and 7 are given below.
Group 1 or IA
Atomic
Elemen
Radius
t
(ppm)
Li
155

Group 2 or IIA
Atomic
Elemen
Radius
t
(ppm)
Be
112

Group 7 or VIIA
Atomic
Elemen
Radius
t
(ppm)
F
72

44

Bicol University
(BS Food technology)
College of Science
LABORATORY ACTIVITIES
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY
Sem 1 2015-2016

Na
K
Rb
Cs

Chem 1General Chemistry

190
235
248
267

Mg
Ca
Sr
Ba

160
197
215
222

Cl
Br
I
At

99
114
133
142

Did you notice the trend in atomic size down the group?
How can you account for the observed trend?
[Q1]

Fill in the blanks with increases or decreases

1. In going from left to right across a period, atomic radius generally __________.
2. Down a group, atomic radius generally __________.

Using the general trend in atomic size observed across a period and down a group, one can
predict the relative size of the atom just by looking at the periodic table. For example in the series:
K, Ca, Rb, Cs, Ar
Their atomic size occurs in the following increasing order:
Ar < Ca < K < Rb < Cs
(smallest)
(largest)
[Q2]

Arrange the species in each group in order of increasing atomic radius.

1. N, Bi, P
2. As, K, Br

__________
__________

3.

Cs, Al, Na
__________
4. Ba, Rn, Xe

__________

IONIZATION ENERGY
Ionization energy is defined as the minimum energy required to remove an electron from
gaseous atom or ion. If the electron removed is the first (outermost) electron from the atom in its
ground state, the energy required is referred to as the FIRST IONIZATION ENERGY (IE 1)
X

(g)

energy

First Ionization

For subsequent removal of electrons as shown by the following equations, the energy
involved is referred to as the SECOND IONIZATION ENERGY (IE 2), THIRD IONIZATION ENERGY (IE3) AN
SO ON.
X

X 2+

energy

2+

Second Ionization

energy

3+

Third Ionization

Study the subsequent ionization of sodium. What can you say regarding the subsequent
ionization energies?
First ionization:
Second ionization:
kJ/mol

Third ionization:

Na
Na

(g)

(g)

Na

Na2+(g)

Na
2+

(g)

(g)

3+

+
Na

(g)

IE1 = 495.9 kJ/mol

IE2 = 4560 kJ/mol

IE3 = 6900

44

Bicol University
(BS Food technology)
College of Science
LABORATORY ACTIVITIES
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY
Sem 1 2015-2016

Na3+(g)

Fourth ionization:
kJ/mol

Chem 1General Chemistry

Na

4+

(g)

Fifth ionization:

Na4+(g)

Sixth ionization:

Na5+(g)

Na

IE4 = 9540 kJ/mol

Na 5+(g)
6+

(g)

+
e

IE5 = 13400
IE6 = 16600 kJ/mol

The ionization energies of other elements are given in Table 4.

Table 4. Ionization Energies (kJ/mol) of Magnesium, Aluminum, Lithium and Sulfur.

Element
IE1
IE2
IE3
IE4
IE5
IE6
Li
520
7300
11808
Mg
738.1
1450
7730
10500
13600
18000
Al
577.9
1820
2750
11600
14800
18400
S
999.5
2250
3360
4660
6990
8500
Do you see the trend in subsequent ionization energies as observed in sodium?
[Q3]

Using the information given in Table 4, fill the blanks with > or <.
1.
2.
3.
4.

Li:
Mg:
Al:
S:

IE1
IE1
IE1
IE1

_____
_____
_____
_____

IE2
IE2
IE2
IE2

_____
_____
_____
_____

IE3
IE3
IE3
IE3

_____
_____ IE4 _____ IE5 _____ IE6
_____ IE4 _____ IE5 _____ IE6
_____ IE4 _____ IE5 _____ IE6

Can you see any regularity? How can you account for this?
First Ionization Energy
Just like the atomic radius, there is a general trend in the first ionization energy of elements.
Lets see if you can recognize it from the ionization energy values given in the table below.
Table 5. First Ionization Energies (kJ/mol) of Some Representative Elements

VIIIA

First
Period
Second
Period
Third
Period
Fourth
Period
Fifth
Period
Sixth
Period

Group
Group
1
18
IA

H
1312
Li
520
Na
495
K
419
Rb
409
Cs
382

Group

Group

13

IIA

Be
899
Mg
738

Group

14

IIIA

B
801
Al
578

Group

IVA

C
1086
Si
786

N
1400
P
1012

Group

15
VA

O
1314
S
1000

F
1680
Cl
1251

Group

16

17

VIA

VIIA

He
2373
Ne
2080
Ar
1521
Kr
1356
Xe
1176
Rn
1042

44

Bicol University
(BS Food technology)
College of Science
LABORATORY ACTIVITIES
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY
Sem 1 2015-2016

Chem 1General Chemistry

Do you recognize the trend in the first ionization energy across a period and down a group?
[Q4]

I. Fill in the blanks with increases or decreases.

1. In going from left to right across a period, the first ionization energy _______________.
2. Down a group, the first ionization energy ________________.
II. From the following list, choose the element that has the lowest first ionization energy and
the element that has the highest first ionization energy.
1. Rb, Sr, Te, I, Xe
2. B, Al, Ga, In, Tl

lowest: __________
lowest: __________

highest: __________
highest: __________

TENDENCY TO FORM A CATION

In as much as ionization energy can be described as the minimum energy required to
remove an electron from a gaseous atom, it can be used to compare the ease by which a cation can
be formed by an atom. The lower the ionization energy, the easier it is to remove an electron and
consequently, the greater the tendency of the atom to form a cation. The higher the ionization
energy, the more difficult it is to remove an electron and consequently, the lower the tendency of
the atom to form a cation.
Let us compare Na (IE1 = 495 kJ/mol) and Cs (IE1 = 382 kJ/mol). Of the two, Cs requires
less energy for the removal of its valence electron therefore, Cs forms a cation more easily
compared to Na.
[Q5]

I. Fill in the blanks with increases or decreases.

1. In going from left to right across a period, the tendency to form a cation _______________.
2. Down a group, the tendency to form a cation _______________.
II.

From the following list, choose the element that has the least tendency to form a cation
and the element that has the greatest tendency to form a cation.
1. Rb, Sr, Te
2. Li, Be, N
3. B, Mg, Rb

least: __________
least: __________
least: __________

greatest: __________
greatest: __________
greatest: __________

ELECTRON AFFINITY
The ability of an atom to accept one or more electron is measured by ELECTRON AFFINITY.
Electron affinity is defined as the NEGATIVE OF THE ENERGY CHANGE associated with the addition
of an electron to gaseous atom.
X

(g)

(g)

energy

The electron affinity of some representative elements is shown in Table 6.

Table 6. Electron Affinity (kJ/mol) of some Representative Elements

44

Bicol University
(BS Food technology)
College of Science
LABORATORY ACTIVITIES
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY
Sem 1 2015-2016
Group

VIIIA

First
Period
Second
Period
Third
Period
Fourth
Period
Fifth
Period
Sixth
Period

Group
Group
1
18
IA

H
77
Li
58
Na
53
K
48
Rb
47
Cs
45

Chem 1General Chemistry

Group

Group

13

IIA

Be
(-241)
Mg
(-230)

Group

14

IIIA

B
23
Al
44

Group

IVA

C
123
Si
120

N
0
P
74

Group

15
VA

O
142
S
200

16

17

VIA

VIIA

F
333
Cl
348
Br
325
I
295

He
(-21)
Ne
(-29)
Ar
(-35)
Kr
(-39)
Xe
(-40)

* Values in parenthesis are only estimated.

Although there are some exceptions, generally, electron affinity increases from left to right
across a period but only up to Group VIIA. There is a marked decrease in electron affinity for Group
VIIIA. In fact, the electron affinity of the noble gases is endothermic or energy requiring. Why?
On the other hand, in going down a group electron affinity generally decreases.
[Q6]

From the following list, choose the element that has the lowest electron affinity and the
element that has the highest electron affinity.
1. Rb, Sn, Te, Xe
2. C, Si, Sn, Pb

lowest: __________
lowest: __________

highest: __________
highest: __________

TENDENCY TO FORM AN ANION

If ionization energy is related to cation formation, electron affinity is related to anion
formation. A high electron affinity implies a greater tendency to form an anion while a low electron
affinity implies a lower tendency to form an anion.
For example, bromine has an electron affinity of 324.6 kJ/mol while iodine has an electron
affinity of 295.4 kJ/mol. Comparatively we can say that bromine has a greater tendency to form an
anion than iodine.
[Q7]

From the following list, choose the element that has the lowest tendency to form an anion
and the element that has the highest tendency to form an anion.
1. Rb, Sn, Te, Xe
2. C, Si, Ge, Pb

lowest: __________
lowest: __________

highest: __________
highest: __________

ELECTRONEGATIVITY
Electronegativity is a quantitative measure of an atoms tendency to attract electrons in a
chemical bond (within the molecule). It determines the type of bond that are formed covalent,
polar covalent, ionic.
The larger the Electronegativity of an element, the greater is the tendency of an atom of
that element to pull electrons toward itself in a bond.

44

Bicol University
(BS Food technology)
College of Science
LABORATORY ACTIVITIES
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY
Sem 1 2015-2016

Chem 1General Chemistry

The electronegativity of some representative elements is shown in Table 7

Table 7. Electronegativity of some Representative Elements
Group
Group
1
18
IA
VIIIA

Group

Group

17
VIIA

First
Period
Second
Period
Third
Period
Fourth
Period
Fifth
Period
Sixth
Period

[Q8]

2.1
H
1.0
Li
0.9
Na
0.8
K
0.6
Rb
0.7
Cs

Group

Group

Group

13

IIA

Group

14

IIIA

15

IVA

16

VA

VIA

He
1.5
Be

2.0
B

2.5
C

3.0
N

3.5
O

4.0
F

Ne
Ar
3.0
Kr
2.6
Xe
2.4
Rn

Arrange the following elements in order of increasing Electronegativity:

Ba, B, I, Sn, Sr
______
Least

<

______

<

______

<

______

<

______
Greatest

ELECTRONEGATIVITY DIFFERENCE
The electronegativity difference of two atoms allows us to predict the type of bonding that
will result.
Difference in EN
of combing atoms
0 to 0.4
Between 0.4 and
2.0
2.0 and greater
[Q9]

Type of Bond
Covalent
Polar
Covalent
Ionic

Consult the Periodic Table of Elements for the electronegativity of each element that makes
up the ten compounds in the table. Find the electronegativity difference between the
elements in the compound and classify the bond formed.
Compound

Electronegativity
Diference

Type of
Bond

Aluminum oxide
Calcium fluoride
Hydrogen chloride
Hydrogen iodide

44

Bicol University
(BS Food technology)
College of Science
LABORATORY ACTIVITIES
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY
Sem 1 2015-2016

Chem 1General Chemistry

Lithium fluoride
Magnesium oxide
Methane (CH4)
Sodium chloride
Sodium oxide
Water (H2O)

Activity No. _____ PERIODIC PROPERTIES OF THE ELEMENTS

Name ____________________________ Course/ Year/ Section _____________ Date ___________
[Q1]

Fill in the blanks with increases or decreases

1. In going from left to right across a period, atomic radius generally __________.
2.
Down a group, atomic radius generally __________.

[Q2]

Arrange the species in each group in order of increasing atomic radius.

1. N, Bi, P
__________
3. Cs, Al, Na
__________
2.
As, K, Br
__________
4. Ba, Rn, Xe
__________

[Q3]

Using the information given in Table 4, fill the blanks with > or <.
1.
Li:
IE1 _____ IE2 _____ IE3 _____
2. Mg:
IE1 _____ IE2 _____ IE3 _____ IE4 _____ IE5 _____ IE6
3.
Al:
IE1 _____ IE2 _____ IE3 _____ IE4 _____ IE5 _____ IE6
4.
S:
IE1 _____ IE2 _____ IE3 _____ IE4 _____ IE5 _____ IE6

[Q4] I. Fill in the blanks with increases or decreases.

44

Bicol University
(BS Food technology)
College of Science
LABORATORY ACTIVITIES
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY
Sem 1 2015-2016

Chem 1General Chemistry

1. In going from left to right across a period, the first ionization energy _______________.
2. Down a group, the first ionization energy ________________.
II. From the following list, choose the element that has the lowest first ionization energy and the
element that has the highest first ionization energy.
1. Rb, Sr, Te, I, Xe
lowest: __________
highest: __________
2. B, Al, Ga, In, Tl
lowest: __________
highest: __________
[Q5] I. Fill in the blanks with increases or decreases.
1. In going from left to right across a period, the tendency to form a cation _______________.
2. Down a group, the tendency to form a cation _______________.
II. From the following list, choose the element that has the least tendency to form a cation and the
element that has the greatest tendency to form a cation.
1. Rb, Sr, Te
least: __________
greatest: __________
2. Li, Be, N
least: __________
greatest: __________
3. B, Mg, Rb
least: __________
greatest: __________
[Q6]

From the following list, choose the element that has the lowest electron affinity and the element
that has the highest electron affinity.
1. Rb, Sn, Te, Xe
lowest: __________
highest: __________
2. C, Si, Sn, Pb
lowest: __________
highest: __________

[Q7]

From the following list, choose the element that has the lowest tendency to form an anion and
the element that has the highest tendency to form an anion.
1. Rb, Sn, Te, Xe
lowest: __________
highest: __________
2. C, Si, Ge, Pb
lowest: __________
highest: __________

[Q8]

Arrange the following elements in order of increasing Electronegativity:

Ba, B, I, Sn, Sr
______
Least

<

______

<

______

<

______

<

______

Greatest

Activity No. _____ PERIODIC PROPERTIES OF THE ELEMENTS: Electronegativity

Name ____________________________ Course/ Year/ Section _____________ Date ___________
Difference in EN
of combing atoms
0 to 0.4
Between 0.4 and
2.0
2.0 and greater

[Q9]

Type of Bond
Covalent
Polar Covalent
Ionic

Consult the Periodic Table of Elements for the electronegativity of each element that makes up
the ten compounds in the table. Find the electronegativity difference between the elements in
the compound and classify the bond formed.

44

Bicol University
(BS Food technology)
College of Science
LABORATORY ACTIVITIES
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY
Sem 1 2015-2016

Compound

Chem 1General Chemistry

Electronegativity
Diference

Type of Bond

Aluminum oxide
Calcium fluoride
Hydrogen chloride
Hydrogen iodide
Lithium fluoride
Magnesium oxide
Methane (CH4)
Sodium chloride
Sodium oxide
Water (H2O)

44