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Atomic Structure Trends in Periodic Table

The document discusses atomic structure trends across periods and down groups in the periodic table, focusing on atomic size, ionization energy, electron affinity, and electronegativity. Across a period, atomic radius decreases while ionization energy, electronegativity, and electron affinity generally increase. Conversely, down a group, atomic radius increases while ionization energy, electronegativity, and electron affinity generally decrease due to the shielding effect and increased distance from the nucleus.

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88 views2 pages

Atomic Structure Trends in Periodic Table

The document discusses atomic structure trends across periods and down groups in the periodic table, focusing on atomic size, ionization energy, electron affinity, and electronegativity. Across a period, atomic radius decreases while ionization energy, electronegativity, and electron affinity generally increase. Conversely, down a group, atomic radius increases while ionization energy, electronegativity, and electron affinity generally decrease due to the shielding effect and increased distance from the nucleus.

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isequaltoklasses.navneet
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

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Atomic Structure Across a Period and Down a Group


When discussing atomic structure across a period and down a group in the periodic table,
we focus on trends related to atomic size, ionization energy, electron affinity, and
electronegativity. These trends result from changes in the number of protons, electrons, and
electron shells as you move across periods and down groups. Let's delve into each aspect:

1. Atomic Structure Across a Period:


When moving across a period (from left to right) in the periodic table:

• Atomic Number: Increases as you move from left to right. Each element has one more
proton and one more electron than the previous element.
• Electron Configuration: Electrons are added to the same principal energy level (or
shell). However, because the number of protons in the nucleus increases, the positive
charge in the nucleus also increases.
• Effective Nuclear Charge: The increased positive charge in the nucleus attracts the
electrons more strongly. This increased attraction, combined with the fact that electrons
are added to the same energy level, causes the electrons to be pulled closer to the
nucleus.
• Atomic Radius: Due to the increased nuclear charge pulling the electrons closer to the
nucleus, the atomic radius decreases as you move across a period.
• Ionization Energy: The energy required to remove an electron from an atom increases
across a period because the electrons are held more tightly by the nucleus due to the
increased nuclear charge.
• Electron Affinity and Electronegativity: Both generally increase across a period as atoms
become more eager to gain electrons to achieve a full valence shell (especially as you
move towards the halogens).

2. Atomic Structure Down a Group:


When moving down a group (from top to bottom) in the periodic table:

• Atomic Number: Increases as you move down a group. Each subsequent element has an
additional electron shell compared to the one above it.
• Electron Configuration: Electrons are added to new energy levels (shells), which are
further away from the nucleus.
• Effective Nuclear Charge: While the number of protons increases, the effect of the
nuclear charge is less pronounced on the outermost electrons because these electrons
are further from the nucleus and are shielded by inner electron shells. This
phenomenon is known as the 'shielding effect.'
• Atomic Radius: The atomic radius increases down a group because the additional
electron shells mean the outermost electrons are further from the nucleus.

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• Ionization Energy: Decreases as you move down a group because the outermost
electrons are further from the nucleus and are less tightly bound due to the shielding
effect.
• Electron Affinity and Electronegativity: Both generally decrease down a group as the
added electron shells mean that additional electrons are less strongly attracted to the
nucleus.

Summary of Trends:
Across a Period:

• Atomic Radius: Decreases


Ionization Energy: Increases
Electronegativity: Increases
Electron Affinity: Generally increases

Down a Group:

• Atomic Radius: Increases


Ionization Energy: Decreases
Electronegativity: Decreases
Electron Affinity: Generally decreases

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