GRADE 10 – THE PERIODIC TABLE

• Know the arrangement of elements on the Periodic Table

• Define ionisation energy as minimum amount of energy needed to remove an electron
from a neutral atom (in the gaseous state).
• Describe electron affinity as amount of energy released per mole when its atom gains
an electron
• Define electronegativity as a measure of the tendency of an atom to attract a bonding
pair of electrons
• Explain the Periodic trends of the elements Li to Ar

PERIODIC TABLE
The Periodic Table shows how the periodicity of the physical and chemical properties of the
elements relates to their atomic structure. It is very useful classification tool that helps us
make sense of the chemistry of the elements. The modern Periodic Table is organised in
columns which is called groups and rows that are called periods.
There are seven periods which run horizontally across the table. Period 1 has only two
elements and periods 2 and 3 have eight elements each. Periods 4 and 5 have 18 elements.
Periods 6 and 7 contain 32 elements which would make the table very wide. There are two
rows of elements beneath the main table where periods 6 & 7 are extended to each, contain
14 elements each.
The elements are grouped according to similar trends in their chemical and physical
properties. This helps us to predict how an element reacts as well as to explain trends in
groups of elements such as their physical properties: density, melting point, boiling point,
electrical and thermal conductivity.

Group 1: Alkali metals

Group 2: Alkali-earth metals
Group 3 – 12: Transition metals
Group 17: Halogens
Group 18: Noble gases
The chemical symbols are usually derived from the first one of two letters of the element’s
name. the first letter is written in uppercase and if there is a second letter it is written in
lowercase.
Notice that the chemical symbol for cobalt is Co and the chemical symbol for copper is Cu.
The reason for copper chosen as Cu is named as cuprum by the Romans. Several elements
retained their Latin names and therefore gained symbols derived from these names.
Element Latin name Symbol
lead plumbum Pb
iron ferrum Fe

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THE PERIODIC TABLE

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
1 2,1 Atomic number (Z) 1 2,1 Electronegativity 2
1 H He
1 H 4
3 1,0 4 1,5 5 2,0 6 2,5 7 3,0 8 3,5 9 4,0 10
2 1
Li Be Relative atomic mass
B C N O F Ne
7 9 10,8 12 14 16 19 20
11 0,9 12 1,2 13 1,5 14 1,8 15 2,1 16 2,5 17 3,0 18
3 Na Mg Aℓ Si P S Cℓ Ar
23 24,3 27 28 31 32 35,5 40
19 0,8 20 1,0 21 1,3 22 1,5 23 1,6 24 1,6 25 1,5 26 1,8 27 1,8 28 1,8 29 1,9 30 1,6 31 1,6 32 1,8 33 2,0 34 2,4 35 2,8 36
4 K Ca Sc Ti V Cr Mn Fe Co Ni Cu Zn Ga Ge As Se Br Kr
39 40 45 48 51 52 55 56 59 59 63,5 65,4 70 72,6 75 79 80 84
37 0,8 38 1,0 39 1,2 40 1,4 41 1,6 42 1,8 43 1,9 44 2,2 45 2,2 46 2,2 47 1,9 48 1,7 49 1,7 50 1,8 51 1,9 52 2,1 53 2,5 54
5 Rb Sr Y Zr Nb Mo Tc Ru Rh Pd Ag Cd In Sn Sb Te I Xe
85,5 88 89 91 93 96 99 101 103 106 108 112 115 119 121 128 127 131
55 56 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86
6 Cs Ba Hf Ta W Re Os Ir Pt Au Hg Tℓ Pb Bi Po At Rn
133 137,3 178,5 181 184 186 190 192 195 197 200,6 204,4 207 209 – – –
87 88
7 Fr Ra

57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71
La Ce Pr Nd Pm Sm Eu Gd Tb Dy Ho Er Tm Yb Lu
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103
Ac Th Pa U Np Pu Am Cm Bk Cf Es Fm Md No Lw

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WORKSHEET 1
1. Find the chemical symbols of the following elements and locate their positions on the
Periodic Table.
Element Symbol Period Group
sodium
sulfur
nitrogen
magnesium
manganese
zinc
tin

2. Find the name, period number and group number of the following elements.
Symbol Name Period Group
Si
Fe
Ne
Au
Ag
Co

3. Lithium is the first of the group 1 alkali metals.

3.1 Write down the names and chemical symbols of the group 1 elements of the
Periodic Table.

3.2 Write down the electronic configuration of the first three group 1 metals.

3.3 What is similar in each of the electronic configuration of the group 1 metals?

3.4 Predict how many electrons are found in the outermost energy level of Rb.

4. Give the group number of the elements which have:

4.1 Seven valence electrons _______________________________________

4.2 Six valence electrons _______________________________________

4.3 Three valence electrons _______________________________________

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PERIOD NUMBER RELATING TO THE ELECTRONIC CONFIGURATION OF ATOMS

The elements are arranged in increasing order of atomic number. The first two elements are
placed in the 1st period. These elements are hydrogen and helium with atomic numbers 1
and 2, respectively. This tells us that hydrogen has 1 proton and 1 electron whereas helium
has 2 protons and 2 electrons. The electrons are found in the 1 st energy level.
Period 2 elements all have the outermost electrons of their atoms in the 2 nd energy level.

Period number = electrons found in the outermost energy level

The electronic configuration of chlorine is 1s22s22p63s23p5.
The 3rd energy level is the outermost energy level of chlorine atoms. There are seven
valance electrons in the valence shell of chlorine atoms: 3s23p5.
Period Atomic number Symbol Element Electron configuration
2 3 Li lithium 1s22s1
4 Be beryllium 1s22s2
5 B boron 1s22s22p1
6 C carbon 1s22s22p2
7 N nitrogen 1s22s22p3
8 O oxygen 1s22s22p4
9 F fluorine 1s22s22p5
10 Ne neon 1s22s22p6
3 11 Na sodium 1s22s22p63s1
12 Mg magnesium 1s22s22p63s2
13 Aℓ aluminium 1s22s22p63s23p1
14 Si silicon 1s22s22p63s23p2
15 P phosphorus 1s22s22p63s23p3
16 S sulfur 1s22s22p63s23p4
17 Cℓ chlorine 1s22s22p63s23p5
18 Ar argon 1s22s22p63s23p6

WORKSHEET 2
1. Write down the electronic configuration of the valence shell for atoms of the following
elements:
1.1 Rb ____________________________________
1.2 Cs ____________________________________
1.3 Br ____________________________________
1.4 I ____________________________________
1.5 Xe ____________________________________
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2. Refer to the electronic configuration of elements in period 2 and 3 shown on the previous
page. How many electrons are there in the valence shell of the:

2.1 group 1 elements? ________________________

2.2 group 2 elements? ________________________

2.3 group 15 elements? ________________________

2.4 group 17 elements? ________________________

Name two elements in periods 2 and 3 which have completely full outer energy levels.

____________________________________________________________________

3. Name an element in period 4 with:

3.1 seven electrons in the valence shell ____________________________

3.2 three electrons in the valence shell ____________________________

3.3 two electrons in the valence shell ____________________________

3.4 a similar electronic arrangement to oxygen ____________________________

3.5 a complete outermost energy level ____________________________

4. How does the group number relate to the electronic configuration of atoms of the
elements?

5. How does the period number relate to the electronic configuration of atoms of the
elements?

The position of metals, metalloids and non-metals in the Periodic Table

Metals are found on the left-hand side and in the middle of the Table. The metals in the
middle from group 3 to 12 are known as the Transition metals because they fall between
metals and metalloids.

There are only a few metalloids, and they exhibit properties which are similar to metals and
to non-metals, so they fall neatly into metals or non-metals.

Non-metals are found on the right-hand side of the Table in general except for hydrogen
which is the first element at the top left-hand side of the Table.

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PROPERTIES OF METALS, METALLOIDS AND NON-METALS

Type of Elements Physical Properties Chemical properties

Metals • Shiny solids • Acids corrode reactive

• Good conductors of heat metals giving off hydrogen
and electricity gas. Copper and precious
• Can be hammered into metals, e.g., silver, gold
shape (malleable) and platinum, do not react
• Can be drawn into long with acids.
threads (ductile) • Metals do not react with
• Some are attracted to alkalis
magnets
• High melting and boiling
points
Metalloids • Have properties of both • Behave like non-metals in
metals and non-metals. chemical reactions, but
• Solids at room temperature when react with non-metals,
• Are not malleable or ductile. metalloids behave like
• At room temperature offer metals.
greater resistance to
electric current than metals
do.
Non-metals • Dull appearance • Non-metals do not react
• Good insulators: do not with acids.
conduct electric current,
except carbon as graphite,
or heat.
• Many are gases at room
temperature.
• Low melting and boiling
points.

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ATOMIC RADIUS
The distance from the centre of the nucleus to the outermost shell containing electrons. The
general trend for the atomic radius on the Periodic Table shows that it increases down the
group and decreases across the period.
The Period of the element indicates the number of energy levels of an element. The valence
electrons are further away from the nucleus, thus the force of attraction between the nucleus
and the valence electrons becomes weaker. Thus, as one move down in the same Group,
the atomic radius increases.
The energy levels and number of core electrons remain constant in the same period. One
valence electron is added to the same energy level across the period. The number of protons
in the nucleus increase, thus, the force of attraction between the nucleus and electrons
subsequently increases. Thus, the atomic radius decreases across a period.

Ionic radius
Metals form cations and the loss of an outer electron makes the
ion much smaller than the atom.
Non-metals form anions and the gain of a valence electron
makes the ion bigger than the atom.

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IONISATION ENERGY OF AN ATOM
Ionisation energy is the minimum amount of energy needed to remove an electron from a
neutral atom (in the gaseous state).
The 1st ionisation energy is the minimum energy which removes the first electron from the
atom. The 2nd ionisation energy removes the second electron and so on.
Atom + energy → cation + electron
Ions
An ion is any small, charged particle. When an atom loses an electron, it is left with an
imbalance of electronic charge, e.g., when a sodium atom loses one electron it is left with
11 protons and 10 electrons, so it is left with an overall positive charge.
A sodium atom forms its ion by losing one electron.
Na – e- → Na+ Better written as Na → Na+ + e-
Both these equations describe the formation of sodium ions by the loss of an electron.

sodium atom sodium ion

Na Na+

WORKSHEET 3
1. Fill in the missing information in the table below:
Element Number of electrons lost/gained Ion
Na 1 lost Na+
O O2-
Ca 2 lost
K K+
P 3 gained
S S2-
Li 1 lost

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2. Write equations to represent the following:
2.1 A calcium atom forms its ion by losing
two electrons.
2.2 A magnesium ion is formed when a
magnesium atom loses two electrons.
2.3 Iron atoms lose three electrons each
when they form iron III ions.
2.4 Zinc atoms release two electrons to
form their ions.
2.5 Potassium ions form by the loss of one
electron from their atoms.

THE SUCCESSIVE IONISATION ENERGIES OF NEON

Neon is an inert (noble) gas, and its atoms have ten electrons. Here is the table of the
successive ionisation energies required to remove the 1st, 2nd and successive electrons from
20 g of neon.

Electron removed 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th
Ionisation energy 2,1 4,0 6,1 9,4 12,2 15,2 20,0 23,1 115,3 131,4
(MJ per 20 g)
2,1 ×106 J of energy is a considerable amount of energy. At first glance, we see that it is
difficult to remove any electrons from neon atoms. This makes sense, since neon is an
inert/noble gas, positioned in Group 18 on the Periodic Table.
Neon atoms do not take part in chemical reactions at normal room temperatures and
pressures, because it takes such an enormous amount of energy to remove an electron from
an atom of neon.
It takes an increasing amount of energy to remove successive electrons from neon. There
is a massive increase in the amount of energy required to remove the 9th and 10th electrons
which are located in the 1st energy level, i.e., the lowest energy level, of the neon atom.
These two electrons are closest to the nucleus, and they are attracted to it by the strongest
electrostatic forces. So, it takes much more energy to release them.
This massive increase in energy supports the theory that electrons are found in specific
energy levels in atoms, i.e., the energy of the electrons in an atom is quantised.
Example
Explain why it takes greater amounts of energy to remove each one of these electrons one
after the other (successively).

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THE OCTET RULE
The electronic configuration of elements explains the relationship between the Periodic
Table and the properties of elements. All elements in a group on the Table have the same
arrangement of valence electrons which gives the elements their chemical properties. The
noble gases are found in Group 18.

Helium Neon Argon

Helium with two electrons has a full complement of electrons in the lowest energy level. All
the other inert gases have eight electrons in their outermost energy levels. This arrangement
of eight electrons makes these atoms chemically stable. The inert gases do not take part in
chemical reactions under normal conditions.
Atoms gain or lose electrons or share electrons to achieve the stable electronic
configuration of the noble gases. This is known as the octet rule because in general the
atoms strive to achieve the stable arrangement of eight electrons in their outermost energy
levels.
The periodicity of the first ionisation energy
A graph of first ionisation energy against atomic number clearly shows the high 1st ionisation
energy of the noble gases.

First ionisation energy of Elements 1-20

2600
First ionisation energy (kJ/mol)

2400
2200
2000
1800
1600
1400
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Atomic number

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High 1st ionisation energies occur at elements 2, 10 and 18. On the Periodic table, these are
the noble gases in the first three periods. Noble gases are placed at the end of each period
on the Table. Their high ionisation energies are followed by low ionisation energies of the
group 1 metals.
In general, the ionisation energies of the elements increase across each period.
Deduced from these trends:
• The inert gases have a stable electronic configuration. Their high ionisation energies
explain why they don’t react under normal conditions. This inability to react is because
an enormous amount of energy is needed to remove an electron from the outermost
energy level of an inert gas.
• The low ionisation energy of Group 1 and 2 metals correspond with their high reactivity.
Group 1 (alkali metals) have a lower first ionisation energy than Group 2 (alkali earth
metals) therefore, alkali metals lose their first electron more easily than the alkali earth
metals and group 1 metals are more reactive than group 2 metals.
• The high ionisation energy of the group 15 to group 17 elements shows that it is very
unlikely that these elements will give away electrons when they react. These elements
tend to gain electrons during chemical reactions.
• The electronic configuration of the elements determines their chemical properties. The
arrangement of elements in the Periodic Table is very helpful in predicting their chemical
and physical properties because their grouping corresponds to their electronic
configuration.

WORKSHEET 4
1. The electronic configurations of several elements are given in the table below.
1.1 Fill in the atomic numbers (Z) and name these elements.
Electronic configuration Z Element
1 1s 2

2 1s22s1
3 1s22s22p1
4 1s22s22p4
5 1s22s22p5
6 1s22s22p6
7 1s22s22p63s23p5
8 1s22s22p63s23p64s1
1.2 Which of these elements…
a. is a noble gas? ___________________
b. has the highest first ionisation energy? ___________________
c. has the lowest first ionisation energy? ___________________
d. will form cations with a charge of +1? ___________________
e. will form anions with a charge of -1? ___________________
f. is a highly reactive metal? ___________________
g. is the most reactive of the halogens? ___________________

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2. The table below contains the 1st and 2nd ionisation energies (IE) for lithium, sodium,
beryllium, and magnesium. The second ionisation energy is the minimum amount of
energy required to remove the second electron from an atom.
Element Symbol Period Group 1st IE 2nd IE
(MJ/mol) (MJ/mol)
lithium Li 2 1 0,5 7,3
beryllium Be 2 2 0,9 1,8
sodium Na 3 1 0,5 4,5
magnesium Mg 3 2 0,7 1,5
2.1 Which two elements have the lowest first ionisation energy? ____________
2.2 Name the group to which these two elements (in 2.1) belong. ____________
2.3 How many electrons are there in the outermost energy level of atoms of these
two elements? _____________
2.4 How many electrons is lithium likely to lose when it reacts with other substance?
Justify your answer with data from the table above.

2.5 Beryllium and magnesium have low second ionisation energies. What does this
imply about these two elements?

2.6 How many electrons is magnesium likely to lose when it bonds with other
substances?

2.7 Name another element (from the table above) which will lose the same number
of electrons as magnesium.

2.8 Which of magnesium and beryllium is likely to be the more reactive element?
Justify your answer with data from the table.

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ELECTRON AFFINITY
The word affinity is defined in the Oxford English Dictionary as “a natural liking for and
understanding of someone or something”. It is also defined in terms of its use in biochemistry
as “the degree to which a substance tends to combine with another”.
If you have an affinity for something, it is by its nature, attractive to you. Therefore, an
electron affinity is a measure of the degree to which an atom tends to attract or gain another
electron.
The electron affinity of an element is the amount of energy released per mole when its
atom gains an electron.
Fluorine has the highest electron affinity. Fluorine atoms release the greatest amount of
energy per mole when they gain an extra electron. When a fluorine atom gains an extra
electron, it gains a stable octet of eight electrons in its outermost energy level. When it
reaches this stable electronic configuration the fluoride ions release the greatest amount of
energy per mole.
• Gaining an electron makes the atom into a negatively charged ion. The anion is at a
lower state of energy than its atom, and therefore it is more stable than the atom. Atoms
with high electron affinity gain extra electron in order to reach a more stable energy
state.
• Atoms with low electron affinity lose electrons more easily e.g., alkali metals have a low
electron affinity and lose an electron to form cations.
• Non-metals have a higher electron affinity than metals. Non-metals are more likely to
gain electrons to form anion; metals lose electrons to form cations.
Atom + electron → anion + energy

WORKSHEET 5
1. Fluorine has a higher electron affinity than chlorine. Explain what this statement meains.

2. Explain why sodium has a low electron affinity with reference to its electron configuration.

3. Elements with high electron affinity form anions. Explain why their atoms form anions.

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4. Ions form when atoms lose or gain electrons. Write the balance equations to show the
formation of the following ions.
Example: Aℓ → Aℓ3+ + 3e-
4.1 Fe3+ _________________________________________________
4.2 Na+ _________________________________________________
4.3 Mg 2+ _________________________________________________
4.4 O 2- _________________________________________________
4.5 S 2- _________________________________________________
4.6 N3- _________________________________________________

ELECTRONEGATIVITY
The electronegativity of an element is a measure of the tendency of an atom to attract a
bonding pair of electrons.
Elements which are inert and those which have a very short half-life (exist only for a very
short while) are not rated on the scale of electronegativity. These elements include the inert
(noble) gases and some radioactive elements.
The electronegativity is a measure on a scale of zero
to 4,00. Electronegativity has no units as it is a
number that compares the relative strength of the
force of attraction which atoms have on a pair of
bonded electrons.
Fluorine atoms have the highest value (4,00) of
electronegativity. This means that when fluorine
atoms bond with other atoms, the bonded electron
pair spends most of its time closer to the fluorine
atom than with the other atom in the bond, e.g.,
hydrogen fluoride the bonded pair of electrons
spends most of its time close to the fluoride atom and
less time with the hydrogen atom.

WORKSHEET 6
1. The noble gases do not have electronegativity values. Suggest a reason why.

2. Describe the trend in the electronegativity value across a period.

3. With reference to the atomic structure of lithium and fluorine atoms, suggest a reason
why the electronegativity of fluorine is much higher than that of lithium.

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4. Describe the trend in the electronegativity value down Group 1 metals.

EXAM QUESTIONS

QUESTION 1

The first ionisation energy and second ionisation energy is given in the following table.

ELEMENT FIRST IONISATION SECOND IONISATION

ENERGY (kJ∙mol-1 ) ENERGY (kJ∙mol-1 )
Li 520,2 7298,1
Be 899,5 1757,1
Na 495,8
Mg 737,7
K 418,8 3052
Ca 589,8 1145,4

1.1 Define the term ionisation energy. (2)

1.2 Write down the name of one the elements which will lose one electron. (1)
1.3 What is the general trend of the first ionisation energy across a period? (1)
1.4 What is the general trend of the first ionisation energy down a group? (1)
1.5 The second ionisation energy of lithium is about four times larger than that
of beryllium. Explain this difference in second ionisation energy by referring
to atomic radius. (3)
1.6 The electronegativity of lithium is 1,0 and that of potassium is 0,8. Explain
the difference between the electronegativities of these two atoms. (2)
1.7 How does the electronegativity of an atom compare to the ionisation
energy of an atom? (3)
1.8 How does the atomic radius of sodium compare to that of magnesium?
Write down SMALLER THAN, GREATER THAN, or EQUAL TO. (1)
1.9 Write down the general reaction for ionisation energy. (1)
1.10 What element will have the highest third ionisation energy? (1)
[16]

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QUESTION 2

The first ionisation energy and the electron affinity of the period 3 elements are
shown in the table below.

ELEMENT FIRST SECOND ELECTRON

IONISATION IONISATION AFFINITY
ENERGY ENERGY (kJ∙mol-1)
(kJ∙mol-1) (kJ∙mol-1)
Sodium 496 53
Magnesium 738 0
Aluminium 578 1817 44
Silicon 786 1577 134
Phosphorous 1 012 1907 72
Sulphur 1 000 2252 200
Chlorine 1 251 2298 349
Argon 1 521 2665 0
2.1 Define electronegativity. (2)
2.2 Compare the electronegativity with the electron affinity of chlorine and
explain the significance of these two values. (2)
2.3 Explain why the first ionisation energy of magnesium is higher than the
first ionisation energy of sodium. (2)
2.4 How many electrons is magnesium likely to lose when it bonds with
other substances? (1)
2.5 How many electrons is sodium likely to lose when it reacts with other
substances? Justify your answer with data from the table above. (3)
2.6 Argon has a high first and second ionisation energy as well as an
electron affinity of zero. Explain what this implies of argon. (2)
2.7 How will the SECOND ionisation energy of sodium compare to that of
magnesium? Write down only HIGHER THAN, LOWER THAN or
EQUAL TO. Explain the answer. (3)
2.8 Which ONE of the above elements has the greatest tendency to form
anions? Refer to the data in the table to give a reason for the answer. (2)
[17]

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