Periodicity Answers
1. Describe how elements are arranged in the periodic table.
• Elements are arranged by increasing atomic (proton) number and organised into
groups and periods.
• Within a group, each element has the same number of electrons in their
outermost electron shell (energy level).
• Within a period, each element has the same number of electron shells containing
electrons.
2. Define the following terms:
s-block element
an element with its highest energy electron in an s sub-shell
p-block element
an element with its highest energy electron in a p sub-shell
3. Label the s-block, p-block, d-block and f-block on the outline of the periodic table
below.
s-block p-block
d-block
f-block
4. Explain the meaning of the term periodicity.
Trends in properties across one period of the periodic table are repeated in other
periods.
1 of 4
Periodicity Answers
5. Describe and explain the trend in atomic radius as you go across Period 3 from sodium
(Na) to argon (Ar).
• Atomic radius decreases across the period.
• This is because the nuclear charge increases;
• but the amount of shielding in each element is similar.
• Therefore, the attraction between the nucleus and the outer electrons is stronger;
• and the outer electrons are pulled closer to the nucleus.
6. a. Define first ionisation energy of argon.
The energy required to remove one electron from each atom of one mole of
gaseous argon atoms to form one mole of gaseous Ar+ ions.
b. Give an equation to represent the first ionisation of argon.
Ar(g) Ar+(g) + e–
7. Describe and explain the general trend in first ionisation energy of the elements as you
go across Period 3 from sodium (Na) to argon (Ar).
• First ionisation energy increases across the period.
• This is because the nuclear charge increases;
• but the amount of shielding in each element is similar.
• Therefore, the attraction between the nucleus and the outer electron is stronger;
• so more energy is required to remove it from the atom.
8. Explain why the first ionisation energy of magnesium is higher than that of aluminium.
• The highest energy electron in a magnesium atom is in the 3s sub-shell.
• The highest energy electron in an aluminium atom is in the 3p sub-shell.
• More energy is required to remove an electron from the 3s sub-shell;
• because it is closer to the nucleus (is lower in energy) than the 3p sub-shell.
9. Explain why the first ionisation energy of sulfur is lower than that of phosphorus.
• Each 3p orbital in a phosphorus atom contains one unpaired electron.
• One of the 3p orbitals within a sulfur atom contains a pair of electrons.
• Less energy is required to remove one of the paired electrons in a sulfur atom;
• because the paired electrons repel each other.
2 of 4
Periodicity Answers
10. Explain why the melting point of magnesium is higher than that of sodium.
• Magnesium atoms have two electrons in their outer shell;
• so form 2+ ions;
• and have a greater number of electrons in the sea of delocalised electrons.
• Sodium atoms have only one electron in their outer shell;
• so form 1+ ions.
• There is a greater attraction between the Mg2+ ions and the sea of delocalised
electrons;
• so more energy is required to overcome the metallic bonds in magnesium.
11. Explain why the melting point of sulfur is lower than that of phosphorus.
• Sulfur and phosphorus both have a simple molecular structure with their
molecules held together by van der Waals (London) forces.
• Phosphorus exists naturally as P4
• Sulfur exists naturally as S8.
• Since sulfur is a larger molecule, it has stronger van der Waals forces between
its molecules;
• so more energy is required to overcome these forces.
12. a. Name the element of Period 3 that has the highest melting point.
silicon
b. Explain why this element has the highest melting point of Period 3.
• Silicon has a macromolecular structure.
• Lots of energy is required to break all of the strong covalent bonds within silicon.
13. The table below shows the melting points of some elements of Period 2.
Explain why the boiling points of these three elements are very similar.
Element Nitrogen Oxygen Fluorine
Melting Point (K) 63.2 54.4 53.5
• Nitrogen, oxygen and fluorine all have a simple molecular structure.
• All three elements form diatomic molecules, N2, O2 and F2.
• There are van der Waals (London) forces, of similar strength, between the
molecules of all three elements.
3 of 4
Periodicity Answers
14. a. Name the element of Period 2 that has the largest atomic radius.
lithium
b. Explain why this element has the highest melting point of Period 3.
• Lithium is the first element in Period 2.
• Atomic radius decreases as you go across a period.
15. a. Arsenic (As) and selenium (Se) are elements in Period 4. Which of these elements
has the highest first ionisation energy?
arsenic / As
b. Explain your answer.
• The electron configuration of arsenic is [Ar] 4s2, 3d10, 4p3.
• The electron configuration of selenium is [Ar] 4s2, 3d10, 4p4.
• Less energy is required to remove an electron from the 4p sub-shell of a selenium
atom; because the pair of electrons in one of the 4p orbitals repel each other.
• Arsenic has no paired electrons in the 4p sub-shell.
16. Explain why the first ionisation energy of zinc (Zn) is higher than that of gallium (Ga).
• The electron configuration of zinc is [Ar] 4s2, 3d10.
• The electron configuration of gallium is [Ar] 4s2, 3d10, 4p1.
• Less energy is required to remove an electron from the 4p sub-shell of gallium
than from the 3d sub-shell of zinc;
• because the 4p sub shell is further from the nucleus (higher in energy);
• therefore, there is a weaker attraction between electrons in this sub-shell and
the nucleus.
4 of 4
