Periodic Trends

Mrs. Coyle
Chemistry
Part I Atomic Size
Atomic Radius
Measures as distance from nucleus to
nucleus and divided by 2.

Unit commonly used is pm

picometer= 10-12m

Example: iodine atomic radius 140pm

How does atomic radius change
across a period?
It is smaller to the right.

Why?

More protons in the nucleus higher

electrical force pulls electrons closer to
nucleus.
How does atomic radius change
down a group?
It is larger down the group.

Why?

Valence electrons are at higher energy

levels and are not bound as tightly to
the nucleus because they are screened
or shielded ( pushed away) by other
electrons in inner levels.
Note
There are some exceptions. Example
column 13.
The Periodic Table and Atomic
Radius
Example:
Which is larger: a lithium atom or a
fluorine atom?

A lithium atom
Example:
Which is larger: an arsenic atom or a
sulfur atom?

An arsenic atom
Part II Ionization Energy
Ionization energy
Ionization energy is the amount of
energy needed to remove an electron
from a gaseous atom.
First ionization energy 1+
Second ionization energy 2+
Ion
Positive ion ---removal of electron

Negative ion--- addition of electron

How does ionization energy
change down a group?
The first ionization energy decreases as
you move down a group.
Why?
The size of the atom increases.
Electron is further from the nucleus.
How does ionization energy
change across a period?

The first ionization energy increases as

you move from left to right across a
period.
Why?
Nuclear charge increases while shielding is
constant.
Attraction of the electron to the nucleus
increases.
Ionic size
Metallic elements easily lose electrons.
Non-metals more readily gain electrons.

How does losing or gaining an electron

effect the size of the atom (ion) ?
Positive ions
Positive ions are always smaller that the
neutral atom. Loss of outer shell
electrons.
Negative Ions
Negative ions are always larger than the
neutral atom. Gaining electrons.
Ion size trends in periods.
Going from left to right there is a
decrease in size of positive ions.
Starting with group 5, there is sharp
increase followed by a decrease in the
size of the anion as you move from left
to right.
Ion size trends in columns.
Ion size increases as you move down a
column for both positive and negative
ions
Electronegativity: the ability of
an atom in a bond to pull on the
electron. (Linus Pauling)
 Electronegativity
When electrons are shared by two atoms
a covalent bond is formed.

When the atoms are the same they pull on

the electrons equally. Example, H-H.

When the atoms are different, the atoms

pull on the electrons unevenly. Example,
HCl
 Trends in Electronegativity
Electronegativity generally decreases as you
move down a group.

Electronegativity of the representative

elements (Group A elements) increases as
you move across a period.
Electronegativities of
Some Elements
Element Pauling scale
F 4.0
Cl 3.0
O 3.5
N 3.0
S 2.5
C 2.5
H 2.1
Na 0.9
Cs 0.7
 Note
Most electronegative element is F
(EN 4.0)

Least electronegative stable element is Cs

(EN 0.7)
Nuclear charge increases
Shielding increases
Atomic radius increases
Ionic size increases
Ionization energy decreases
Electronegativity decreases
Summary
Shielding is constant
Atomic Radius decreases

Nuclear charge increases

Electronegativity increases
Ionization energy increases