Chapter V:

The periodic classification of the elements

V.1. Periodic classification of D. Mendeleev [27]

In the first classification (1869) by Mendeleev, the chemical families were classified in relation to
atomic masses, the originality was to leave certain boxes in the table vacant. Likewise, the electronic
configuration of the atoms in the state makes it possible to reconstruct the periodic classification table,
that is to say the distribution of the rows (or periods) and columns (or groups) of the elements.
V.2. The modern periodic table:
Mendeleev's classification arranged the elements in increasing order of their atomic masses, while in
reality an element is defined by its atomic number Z and not by its atomic mass, which can vary due to
the existence of isotopes . The modern classification is based on the ascending order of Z.
This classification is done in a table with seven (7) rows (period) and 18 columns (groups or
subgroups).

The periodic table is divided into:

Blocks: the elements are placed in three blocks:
Block (S): corresponds to the filling of the underlayer (ns)
The “s” block consists of the elements found in columns 1 (alkali metals) and 2 (alkaline earth metals)
of the periodic table, as well as hydrogen and helium. They are so called because their highest occupied
orbital (in energy) is of type s.
Block (P): corresponds to the filling of the underlayer (np)
The P block consists of the elements present in columns 13 to 18 of the periodic table of elements. They
are so called because their highest occupied orbital (in energy) is p-type. This block includes icosagens
(column 13), crystallogens (column 14), pnictogens (column 15), chalcogens (column 16), halogens
(column 17), and rare gases (column 18), exception of Helium.
Block (d): corresponds to the filling of the sublayer ((n-1) d)
Block d consists of the elements present in columns 3 to 12 of the periodic table. They are called so
because the highest (in energy) orbital occupied is of type d.
Block (f): corresponds to the filling of the sublayer ((n-2) f).

Block f is made up of the internal transition elements of the periodic table: lanthanides and actinides.
They are so called because the highest occupied orbital (in energy) of these atoms is of type f

Periods (Rows): The period corresponds to an electronic layer identified by its principal quantum
number noted (n). There are seven known electronic layers in the ground state, therefore seven periods.
Groups (Columns) : There are eighteen groups including
Eight in subgroup A
Ten in subgroup B
Elements of the same family have the same number of valence electrons, the family number corresponds
to the number of valence electrons.
Subgroup A: The eight families are called main, numbered from I A to VIII A , represented by two blocks

s and p.
 x
- an element belongs to subgroup A, if the valence electrons are distributed in the subshell (ns ),
x y x 10 y
(ns np ) or ns (n-1)d np . with x and y different from 0

Subgroup B :
Family located between II A and IIIA, represented by block d (transition elements)
2 x 0
- an element belongs to subgroup B, if its valence electrons are distributed in the layer ns (n-1)d np
0
with x ranging from 1 to 10 or even ns (n-2)f (n-1 )d np . (the sublayer f appears from n=6)
The following diagram gives help on the two subgroups A and B.

Example :

Find the period, group and subgroup of the following elements:

28
Ni, 30 Zn, 53 I, 79 Au
2 8 0 8 2 0
- 28
Ni: 18
[Ar] 4s 3d 4p we therefore write: 28
Ni: 18
[Ar] 3d 4s 4p nickel belongs to the fourth

period group VIII subgroup B, column 10

 2 10 0 10 2 0
- 30 Zn: 18 [Ar] 4s 3d 4p the configuration is written as follows: 18 [Ar] 3d 4s 4p

Zinc belongs to the fourth period group (if we exceed the number 10, we count from 1) II subgroup B,
column 12
2 10 5
- 53 I: 36 [Kr] 5s 4d 5p iodine belongs to the fifth period, group VII, subgroup A and not B why???

because the sublayer d is completely filled.

2 14 9 0 14 9 2 0
- 79 Au: 54 [Xe] 6s 4f 5d 6p , we write 54 [Xe] 4f 5d 6s 6p this configuration is therefore unstable
14 10 1 0
54
[Xe] 4f 5d 6s 6p gold belongs to the sixth period, group I subgroup B, column 11.

Families:
The main families of the periodic table:
1
- Family of alkali metals (column 1): group I A : electronic configuration of type ns . Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs.
2
- Alkaline earth family (column 2): group II A : ns (Ca, Sr, Ba and Ra).
2 5
- Halogen family (column 18): group VII A ns np
2 6
- Family of rare (noble) gases group VIII A ns np

- Family of transition elements (column from 3 to 11), these are elements which have the orbitals (d)
incompletely filled
- Elements of the triads, constitute the VIII
- Rare earth elements, the elements have orbitals (f) being filled, in fact the orbitals which correspond to
the filling of the 4f orbital are called the Lanthanides 6th period 57≤ Z≤ 71, those which correspond to
the filling of the 5f orbital are called the Actinides 7th periods 89≤ Z≤ 103.

V.3. Evolution and periodicity of the physicochemical properties of the elements [28]

V.3. 1. Periodic properties :

Each group is characterized by periodic properties such as:

V.3. 1. 1. The Atomic Ray

The atomic radius of an element is given by the relation:
r = ( 𝑛 2 / Z) . a 0 with Z eff : effective charge and a 0 = 0.53Å Bohr radius

It is clear that it is a function of Z and n therefore:

1) inside the same period we have the principal quantum number which is (n) fixed (does not vary
according to the same period) hence
If Z ↗ ⇒ Fatt ↗ ⇒ r ↘
Let's take as an example the elements of the same period the third period n=3:

Throughout a column Z the n ⇒ volume therefore the electron cloud augment and r

Let's take as an example the elements of the same column, column no. 14, group IV B :

The element Z The atomic radius (A°)

VS 6 0.914

If 14 1.32

Ge 32 1.37

Sn 50 1.62

Pb 82 1.75

V.3. 1. 2. The Ionic Ray

a) Variation of ionic radius :
A cation is positively charged r cation < r atom
+2
r(Ca ) < r(Ca)
rLi: 0.123 nm r Li+ : 0.060 nm

r Al: 0.125 nm r Al3+ : 0.005 nm

an anion is negatively charged therefore: r Anion > r atom

-
r (Cl ) > r (Cl)

r S : 0.104 nm r S2- : 0.184 nm

V.3. 1. 3. Ionization energy

This is the minimum energy to provide to a gaseous atom X(g) in its ground state to remove a valence
electron. We talk about energy like this:
1) the 1st ionization: E i1 (the energy necessary to remove an electron least retained by the nucleus)
+
E i1 = E (A ) – E(A)
+
K(g) K (g) + 1 é + E i1 with E i1 = 4.31 eV
+
E i1 = E(K ) – E(K)

2) of 2nd ionization : E i2 energy necessary to remove the 2nd electron

++ +
E i1 = E(A ) – E(A )
+ +2
K (g) K (g) + 1 é + E i2 with E i2 = 31.7 eV
++ +
E i1 = E(K ) – E(K )
nth
3) of ionization:
So
E i1 <E i2 <E i3 <……….< E in : the further the electron is from the nucleus, the easier it is to extract it

The internal electrons have a higher ionization energy than the valence electrons.
+n +(n-1)
E in = E(A ) – E(A )
𝑞+ 𝑞−
↗ 𝐹𝑎 = 𝐾 (since n constants the same line so the distance d will be cte)=𝑘. Z ↗̀ 𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑐 (𝑞+ =
𝑑2

𝑍(+𝑒))
4) in the same period (line) if Z↗ ⇒ Force of attraction F att↗ therefore the energy necessary to remove

the electron will be large Ei ↗with the increase in Z↗

5) in the same group (column) if Z ↗the principal quantum number n ↗ ⇒ r ↗(atomic radius) is therefore
volume of the atom increases V ↘ ⇒ Force of attraction F att ↘ ⇒ Ei ↘decreases

V.3. 1. 4. Electronic affinity A e :

It is the energy released by an atom when it captures an electron (it is energy provided to oxidize)
-
A e = E(x) –E(x )
-
X + 1é →X + A (affinity)
-
Example: A H : (H + 1é →H ) A H = 0.75 eV

The electron affinity increases crossing a period from left to right, on the other hand the electron
affinity varies very little going down a group

V.3. 1. 5. Electronegativity [29]

Electronegativity (EN) is a quantity which measures the ability of an element to attract electrons within
a bond, hence the appearance of partial charges 𝛿 − and 𝛿 + :
+ −
Aδ → Bδ ∶ B est plus électronégatif
Electronegativity is not defined for an isolated atom, because it corresponds to the tendency of a bound
(non-isolated) atom to attract electrons from other atoms of the molecule or ion in which it is engaged.
Electronegativity is a relative quantity. There are different electronegativity scales:
a) Mulliken's definition : the electronegativity of an element is the average of its electronic affinity A e

and its ionization energy Ei (Mulliken defines electronegativity as the arithmetic average between EI 1

and AE 1
Ae+Ei
𝜒 𝐴 ( 𝑒𝑉 )= 𝑘 2
-1
with k : = 0.317 eV to agree with the Pauling scale

b) Pauling's definition : the difference in electronegativity between elements A and B has the
expression:

𝑝
|∆𝜒𝐴𝐵 | = |𝜒𝐴𝑝 − 𝜒𝐵𝑝 | = √𝐸𝐴−𝐵 − √𝐸𝐴−𝐴 − 𝐸𝐵−𝐵

Or: E AB , E AA , and E BB are respectively the binding energies (in KJ/mol) of the diatomic molecules AB,

AA and BB

c) Definition of Allred and Rochow :

They succeeded in giving a universal scale of electronegativity by the definition:
Electronegativity is the force of attraction between the atom and an electron, separated from the nucleus
by a distance equal to the covalent radius of the atom:
0,359 𝑍𝑒𝑓𝑓
𝜒= + 0,744
𝑟𝐴2
Z eff : effective load

r A covalent ray

The electronegativity varies in the same direction as the ionization energy, i.e.:
Electronegativity increases from left to right in a row of the periodic table, elsewhere electronegativity
decreases from top to bottom in the same column.
Note : rare gases do not have electronegativity because their valence shell is saturated; they are
considered inert elements.
V.3. 1. 6. The metallic character :
It is the ability to easily lose external electrons, in fact the element seeks to acquire the rare gas
configuration closest to it.
Example :
2+
20
Ca →Ca +2é
2 2 6 2 6 2 0 0
20
Ca: 1s 2s 2p 3s 3p 4s 3d 4p (valence layer, peripheral or external)
+2 2 2 6 2 6 0 0 0
20
AC : 1s 2s 2p 3s 3p 4s 3d 4p

Non-metals, on the contrary, tend to capture electrons:

2-
O + 2é →O

Exercises Chapter V [12, 30]

Exercise 1
1) Give the position of the following elements in the periodic table:
7 N, 17 Cl, 21 Sc, 24 Cr, 26 Fe, 29 Cu, 30 Zn, 47 Ag

2) Cesium (Sb) belongs to the same family as nitrogen ( 7 N) and to the same period as silver ( 47 Ag).
Give its electronic configuration and its atomic number Z.
3) Determine the energy of the first ionization of nitrogen ( 7 N).

Exercise 2
Consider the following atoms: C(6), P(15), V(23), Cr(24), Co(27) and Zn(30).
1) Give the location of these elements in the periodic table (indicate the group and the period), specify
the core electrons and the valence electrons, as well as the number of single electrons.
2) Classify these elements in ascending order for elements belonging to the same period, then to the
same group in relation to their:
a) Ionization energy
b) The radius
c) Electronegativity

Exercise 3
Classify in each series the following elements according to their increasing radius:
Series 1 : 55 Cs, 9 F, 19 K, 3 Li, 7 N.
Series 2 : 13 Al, 49 In, 9 F, 8 O, 14 Si, 16 S.

Answer key to chapter V exercises

Exercise 1
1) the position of the following elements in the periodic table:
Elements Electronic structure Period Band

7N _ 1s 2 2s 2 2p 3 2 VA

17Cl _ 1s 2 2s 2 2p 6 3s 2 3p 5 3 VII A

21 Sc 1s 2 2s 2 2p 6 3s 2 3p 6 4s 2 3d 1 4 III B

24 Cr 1s 2 2s 2 2p 6 3s 2 3p 6 4s 1 3d 5 4 VI B

26 Fe 1s 2 2s 2 2p 6 3s 2 3p 6 4s 2 3d 6 4 VIII B

29 Cu 1s 2 2s 2 2p 6 3s 2 3p 6 4s 1 3d 10 4 IB

30 Zn 1s 2 2s 2 2p 6 3s 2 3p 6 4s 2 3d 10 4 II B

47 Ag 1s 2 2s 2 2p 6 3s 2 3p 6 4s 2 3d 10 4p 6 5s 1 4d 10 5 IB _

2) electronic configuration and its atomic number Z of Sb:

- Sb belongs to the same family as 7 N, i.e. that Sb belongs to the VA family (its electronic
configuration ends with np 3 )
- the Sb belongs to the same period as the 47 Ag, i.e. that the Sb belongs to period 5 (n = 5) Sb: 1s 2 2s 2
2p 6 3s 2 3p 6 4s 2 3d 10 4p 6 5s 2 4d 10 5p 3 (period 5 and group V A ) with Z = 51( atomic number)
3) the energy of the first ionization of Nitrongen ( 7 N):
 𝑵 → 𝑵+ + 𝟏𝒆−

Exercise 2
1) Location:
Elements Electronic structure Period Band Heart Valence Single
Electron electron Electron

6C _ 1S 2 2S 2 2P 2 2 IV A 1S 2 2S 2 2P 2 2 e-

15P _ 1S 2 2S 2 2P 6 3S 2 3P 3 3 VA 1S 2 2S 2 2P 3S 2 3P 3 3e-
6

23V _ 1S 2 2S 2 2P 6 3S 2 3P 6 4 VB _ 1S 2 2S 2 2P 3d34s2 _ _ 3e-

4S 2 3d 3 6
3S 2 3P 6 _

3P6

24 Cr 1S 2 2S 2 2P 6 3S 2 3P 6 4 VI B 1S 2 2S 2 2P 3d 5 4S 1 6e-
3d 5 4S 1 6
3S 2 3P 6

27Co _ 1S 2 2S 2 2P 6 3S 2 3P 6 4 VIII B 1S 2 2S 2 2P 3d7 4S2 3 e-

3d 7 4S 2 6
3S 2 3P 6

30Zn 1S2 2S2 2P6 3S2 3P6 4 II B 1S2 2S2 2P6 3d104S2 0 e-
3d104S2 3S2 3P6

32Ge 1S 2 2S 2 2P 6 3S 2 3P 6 4 IV A 1S 2 2S 2 2P 4S 2 3d 10 2e-
4S 2 3d 10 4P 2 6
3S 2 3P 6 4P 2
2)Classement:
In a column: (from top to bottom) When Z increases: the atomic radius (ra) increases Ionization energy
and electronegativity decrease
In a period: (from left to right) When Z increases: the atomic radius (ra) decreases Ionization energy
(EI) and electronegativity increase
a) Ionization energy: EI (V) < EI (Cr) < EI (Co) < EI (Zn) < EI (Ge) (compared to the same period)
EI (Ge) < EI (C) (compared to the same column)
b) atomic radius: ra (Ge) < ra (Zn) < ra (Co) < ra (Cr) < ra (V) (compared to the same period) ra (C) <
ra (Ge) (compared to the same column)
c) Electronegativity: V < Cr < Co < Zn < Ge (compared to the same period)
Ge < C (compared to the same column)

Exercise 3
In each of the following two series, classify the elements in increasing order of the radius of their
atoms.
In the same period, the ionic radius decreases when the oxidation number increases. In the same group,
the ionic radius increases from top to bottom.

Series 1: 55 Cs, 9 F, 19 K, 3 Li, 7 N.

Cs :
55 1 s2 , 2 s2 , 2p6 , 3s2 , 3p6 , 4s2 , 3d10 , 4p6,5s2 , 4d10 , 5p6 , 6s1 .

:[Xe] 6 s 1 . (L:6, G:IA)

9F : 1 s 2 , 2 s 2 , 2 p 5 . (L:2, G:VIIA)

19 K: 1 s2 , 2 s2 , 2 p6 , 3s2 , 3 p6,4 s1 . [Ar] 4 s 1 . (L:4, G:IA)

3 Li: 1 s2 , 2 s1 . (L:2, G:IA)

7 N: 1 s2 , 2 s2 , 2 p3 . (L:2, G:VA)

F N Li K Cs
The croissance of the rayon of the home

Series 2: 13 Al, 49 In, 9 F, 8 O, 14 Si, 16 S.

49 In : 1 s2 , 2 s2 , 2p6 , 3s2 , 3p6 , 4s2 , 3d10 , 4p6 , 5s2 , 4d10 , 5p1 .

:[Kr] 5 s 2 , 4 d 10 , 5 p 1 . (L:5, G:IIIA)

9F : 1 s 2 , 2 s 2 , 2 p 5 . (L:2, G:VIIA)

13 Al: 1 s 2 , 2 s 2 , 2 p 6 , 3 s 2 , 3 p 1 . [ Ne], 3s2 , 3p1 . (L:3, G:IIIA)

 8O : 1 s2 , 2 s2 , 2 p4. (L:2, G:VIA)

14Si : 1 s2 , 2 s2 , 2 p6 , 3s2, 3 p2. [Ne] , 3s2, 3 p2. (L:3, G:IVA)

16 S: 1 s 2 , 2 s 2 , 2 p 6 , 3 s 2 , 3 p 4 . [Ne], 3s 2 , 3 p 4 . (L:3, G:VIA)

F O S Si Al In
The growth of the radius of the atom