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Starter for Ten

4. Trends in the Periodic Table
Developed by Dr Kristy Turner, RSC School Teacher Fellow 2011-2012 at the University of Manchester,
and Dr Catherine Smith, RSC School Teacher Fellow 2011-2012 at the University of Leicester
This resource was produced as part of the National HE STEM Programme

www.rsc.org/learn-chemistry
Registered Charity Number 207890
 4. TRENDS IN THE PERIODIC TABLE

4.1 Period 3
4.1.1 Melting points
4.1.2 Ionisation energy
4.1.3 Atomic radius
4.2 Group 2
4.3 Group 7

Trends in the Periodic Table answers

Chapter 4 Contents
 4.1.1 Period 3 melting points

Element Na Mg Al Si P S Cl Ar
Bonding Metallic Covalent
+
Na molecular
Cl2

Intermolecular - - - -
bonding
Melting point 1156 1380 2740 2628 553 718 238 87
(K)

1. Fill in the table above to show how melting point changes across Period 3 according to bonding type.
(6 marks)
2. Explain the differences in melting point between the following pairs of elements
(a) Magnesium and aluminium (2 marks)
(b) Phosphorus and sulfur (2 marks)

Periodic Trends 4.1.1

 4.1.2 Period 3 ionisation energy

General trend
1st ionisation energy increases across
the Period because...

Electron more tightly held

because

Slightly easier to remove

because
Easier to remove because

1. The diagram shows the trend in 1st ionisation energy across the Period 3 elements. Complete the
diagram giving the explanations for the trends seen. (7 marks)
st
2. Define the term 1 ionisation enthalpy and illustrate with an equation. (3 marks)

Periodic Trends 4.1.2

 4.1.3 Atomic Radius across Period 3

1. State and explain the general trend in atomic radius across Period 3 (excluding Argon). (4 marks)

2. Atomic radius is a general term. Measurements are taken of metallic radii for metals and
covalent radii for molecules. Draw a diagram to show how you could calculate the atomic
radius of 2 covalently bonded atoms. (3 marks)

3. Why does Argon not follow the trend? (2 marks)

4. State the effect of atomic radius on the first ionisation energy of an element. (1 mark)

Periodic Trends 4.1.3

 4.2 Group 2 trends

1. Complete the diagram showing the general trends in Group 2 by choosing properties from the grey
boxes to annotate the arrows. (7 marks)

2. The trend in solubility of the sulfates is useful as it provides a test for the sulfate anion. Describe how
this test is carried out, what is observed when the test is positive for sulfate ions and write an equation
including state symbols for this test. (3 marks)

Periodic Trends 4.2

 4.3 Group 7 trends

Increase Decrease
down down
the group the group

F2

Cl2

Br 2

I2

Boiling points Electronegativity Atomic radius

Reactivity Reactivity
(oxidising ability) (reducing ability)
of halogen of halide ion

1. Complete the diagram showing the general trends in Group 7 by choosing properties from the grey
boxes to annotate the arrows. (5 marks)

2. The trend in the reducing ability of the halide ions can be illustrated by the reaction of sodium halides
with sulfuric acid. Illustrate this trend using the equations for NaF and NaI and the O.S numbers for
sulfur. Write a conclusion stating what your equations show. (5 marks)

Periodic Trends 4.3

Chapter 4 answers
1.

Element Na Mg Al Si P S Cl Ar
Bonding Metallic Metallic Metallic Covalent Covalent Covalent Covalent Covalent
+ 2+ 2+
Na Mg Mg macromolecular molecular molecular molecular atomic
P4 S8 Cl2

Intermolecular - - - - Van der Van der Van der Van der

bonding Waals Waals Waals Waals
Melting point 1156 1380 2740 2628 553 718 238 87
(K)
(1 mark for Mg/Al correct, 1 mark for each box (x 4), 1 mark for correct VdW on the last row)
2.
(a) Magnesium and aluminium
Increase in charge on the ion from 2+ (Mg) to 3+ (Al)(1 mark), more electrons in delocalised system
(1 mark) therefore strength of metallic bonds increases.
(b) Phosphorus and sulfur
S8 molecules have more atoms and therefore electrons than P4 molecules therefore more VdW
forces

4.1.2

Chapter 4 Answers
2. The enthalpy change when one mole of electrons is removed (1) from one mole of gaseous
+ -
atoms (1) to give one mole of gaseous unipositive ions. Eg, M (g) -> M (g) + e (1)

4.1.3
1. Atomic radius decreases across the Period (1 mark)
More protons in the nucleus (1 mark)
Negligible increase in shielding as electrons are in the same main energy level (1 mark)
Greater attraction between the outer electrons and the nucleus/greater effective nuclear charge
therefore electrons ‘pulled’ in. (1 mark)
2.

3. Argon is not bonded (1 mark) therefore it is not ‘squashed’ and has a true atomic radius (1 mark)

4. As atomic radius decreases the 1st ionisation energy increases (or converse) (1 mark)
4.2
1. (1 mark for each correct)

2. Barium chloride solution (BaCl2) is added to the test solution (1 mark for identification of chemical).
Dilute hydrochloric acid is added. If sulfate ions are present a white precipitate is formed (1 mark for
observation).
2+ 2-
Ba (aq) + SO4 (aq)  BaSO4(s) (1 mark)

Chapter 4 Answers
4.3
1.

2.

Chapter 4 Answers