1.2.5
Trends in the Periodic Table
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Atomic Radius
There are key trends in atomic radius as we go across periods and when we go down groups.

Periodic trend
- Atomic radius decreases along a period.
- This is because the number of protons in the nucleus increases across the period.
- As you add protons, you also add electrons. But these are all being added to the same shell, so this does not affect the radius.
- So each electron feels a stronger attraction to the nucleus and is held closer.

Periodic example
- In Period 3, sulfur has a smaller atomic radius than phosphorus.
- Sulfur has one more electron but still only fills up the same shell (3p) as phosphorus, so the radius is not affected.
- But sulfur has one more proton than phosphorus - this does affect the radius.
- Sulfur has a greater nuclear charge because of having more protons.
- This pulls the electrons closer.
- This means the atomic radius is smaller.

Group trend
- Atomic radius increases down a group.
- This is because the number of electron shells increases down a group.
- Each subsequent electron shell is further from the nucleus.
- This effect outweighs the increase in proton number down the group.

Group example
- In Group 2, magnesium has a larger radius than beryllium.
- Magnesium has more electrons than beryllium and they occupy an additional electron shell.
- The extra electron shell is further from the nucleus.
- So the atomic radius is larger.
Ionisation Energy
We see trends in ionisation energy across the periods and down the groups of the periodic table.

Periodic trend
- Ionisation energy increases along a period.
- This is because the electrostatic attraction of each electron to the nucleus increases.
- The attraction increases because the proton number increases.

Periodic example
- In Period 3, chlorine has a greater nuclear charge than sulfur because it has a greater proton number.
- So the electrostatic charge between electrons and the nucleus in chlorine will be greater.
- So the ionisation energy is greater.

Group trend
- Ionisation energy decreases down a group.
- This is because the outer electron is further from the nucleus down the group.
- The electrostatic attraction of the outer electron to the nucleus decreases down the group.

Group example
- In Group 2, magnesium is below beryllium.
- Magnesium fills up an extra electron shell than beryllium.
- This means an electron is further from the nucleus in magnesium and so the electrostatic attraction is less.
- So the ionisation energy of magnesium is lower than beryllium.
Melting Points
There are clear trends in the melting points across periods and down groups in the periodic table. We look at Period 3 to see this trend.

Structure on melting point
- For metals:
- The greater the number of valence electrons, the greater the melting point.
- For covalent compounds:
- Molecular solids have low melting points.
- Giant covalent structures have relatively high melting points.
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Period trend
- As you move along a period, you go from metals to giant covalent structures, to molecular solids.
- Using our knowledge of melting points of different structures from the previous slide:
- The melting points increase, peak sharply, and then decrease.
- We will look at Period 3 to showcase this trend.
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Na, Mg, Al
- These all have metallic structures.
- Melting point and boiling point increase from Na to Al.
- This is because each element donates one more electron to the sea of free electrons.
- The electrostatic attractions are greater, so the melting point rises.

Si
- Silicon has the highest melting point.
- This is because it has a giant covalent structure.
- To melt silicon, you must break strong covalent bonds, which requires a lot of energy.
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P, S, Cl, Ar
- These elements are simple molecules.
- They are held together by Van der Waals forces.
- Sulfur has the highest melting point of the four because it exists as molecules of S8.
- This means it has a lot of electrons per molecule, so has stronger Van der Waals attractions.
- By contrast, P exists as P4 and Cl exists as Cl2.
1Principles of Science I
1.1Structure & Bonding
1.1.1Atomic Model1.1.2Electron Shells, Sub-Shells & Orbitals1.1.3Ionic Bonding1.1.4Representing Ionic Bonds1.1.5Covalent Bonding1.1.6Representing Covalent Bonds1.1.7Metallic Bonding1.1.8Intermolecular Forces1.1.9Intermolecular Forces 21.1.10End of Topic Test - Bonding1.1.11Relative Masses1.1.12The Mole1.1.13Molar Calculations1.1.14Molar Calculations 21.1.15Empirical & Molecular Formulae1.1.16Balanced Equations1.1.17Percentage Yield1.1.18End of Topic Test - Amount of Substance
1.2Properties of Substances
1.2.1The Periodic Table1.2.2Ionisation Energy1.2.3Factors Affecting Ionisation Energies1.2.4Trends of Ionisation1.2.5Trends in the Periodic Table1.2.6Polarity1.2.7Metals & Non-Metals1.2.8Alkali Metals1.2.9Alkaline Earth Metals1.2.10Reactivity of Alkaline Earth Metals1.2.11Redox1.2.12Transition Metals1.2.13Redox Reactions of Transition Metals
1.3Cell Structure & Function
1.4Cell Specialisation
1.5Tissue Structure & Function
1.5.1Human Gas Exchange1.5.2Blood Vessels1.5.3Atherosclerosis1.5.4Skeletal Muscle1.5.5Slow & Fast Twitch Fibres1.5.6Neurones1.5.7Speed of Transmission1.5.8Action Potentials1.5.9End of Topic Test - Neurones & Action Potentials1.5.10Synapses1.5.11Types of Synapse1.5.12Medical Application1.5.13End of Topic Test - Synapses1.5.14Chemical Brain Imbalances1.5.15Effect of Drugs on the Brain
1.6Working with Waves
1.7Waves in Communication
2Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques
3Science Investigation Skills
3.1Scientific Processes
3.2Data Handling & Analysis
3.3Enzymes in Action
3.4Diffusion
3.5Plants & Their Environment
3.6Energy Content in Fuels
4Principles of Science II
4.1Extracting Elements
4.2Relating Properties to use of Substances
4.3Organic Chemistry
4.4Energy Changes in Industry
4.5The Circulatory System
4.5.1The Circulatory System4.5.2Blood Vessels4.5.3Blood Transfusion & the ABO Rhesus System4.5.4The Heart4.5.5The Cardiac Cycle4.5.6Cardiac Output4.5.7Coordination of Heart Action4.5.8Heart Dissection4.5.9Controlling Heart Rate4.5.10Electrocardiograms4.5.11Cardiovascular Disease4.5.12Investigating Heart Rates
4.6Ventilation & Gas Exchange
4.7Urinary System
4.9Thermal Physics
4.9.1Power & Efficiency4.9.2Work & Energy4.9.3Conservation of Energy4.9.4Pressure4.9.5First Law of Thermodynamics4.9.6Second Law of Thermodynamics4.9.7Heat Engines, Heat Pumps & Refrigerators4.9.8Non-Flow Processes4.9.9p-V Diagrams4.9.10Ideal Gases4.9.11Ideal Gases 24.9.12Thermal Energy Transfer4.9.13Thermal Energy Transfer Experiments
4.10Materials
5Contemporary Issues in Science
5.1Contemporary Issues in Science
5.2Analysing Scientific Information
Jump to other topics
1Principles of Science I
1.1Structure & Bonding
1.1.1Atomic Model1.1.2Electron Shells, Sub-Shells & Orbitals1.1.3Ionic Bonding1.1.4Representing Ionic Bonds1.1.5Covalent Bonding1.1.6Representing Covalent Bonds1.1.7Metallic Bonding1.1.8Intermolecular Forces1.1.9Intermolecular Forces 21.1.10End of Topic Test - Bonding1.1.11Relative Masses1.1.12The Mole1.1.13Molar Calculations1.1.14Molar Calculations 21.1.15Empirical & Molecular Formulae1.1.16Balanced Equations1.1.17Percentage Yield1.1.18End of Topic Test - Amount of Substance
1.2Properties of Substances
1.2.1The Periodic Table1.2.2Ionisation Energy1.2.3Factors Affecting Ionisation Energies1.2.4Trends of Ionisation1.2.5Trends in the Periodic Table1.2.6Polarity1.2.7Metals & Non-Metals1.2.8Alkali Metals1.2.9Alkaline Earth Metals1.2.10Reactivity of Alkaline Earth Metals1.2.11Redox1.2.12Transition Metals1.2.13Redox Reactions of Transition Metals
1.3Cell Structure & Function
1.4Cell Specialisation
1.5Tissue Structure & Function
1.5.1Human Gas Exchange1.5.2Blood Vessels1.5.3Atherosclerosis1.5.4Skeletal Muscle1.5.5Slow & Fast Twitch Fibres1.5.6Neurones1.5.7Speed of Transmission1.5.8Action Potentials1.5.9End of Topic Test - Neurones & Action Potentials1.5.10Synapses1.5.11Types of Synapse1.5.12Medical Application1.5.13End of Topic Test - Synapses1.5.14Chemical Brain Imbalances1.5.15Effect of Drugs on the Brain
1.6Working with Waves
1.7Waves in Communication
2Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques
3Science Investigation Skills
3.1Scientific Processes
3.2Data Handling & Analysis
3.3Enzymes in Action
3.4Diffusion
3.5Plants & Their Environment
3.6Energy Content in Fuels
4Principles of Science II
4.1Extracting Elements
4.2Relating Properties to use of Substances
4.3Organic Chemistry
4.4Energy Changes in Industry
4.5The Circulatory System
4.5.1The Circulatory System4.5.2Blood Vessels4.5.3Blood Transfusion & the ABO Rhesus System4.5.4The Heart4.5.5The Cardiac Cycle4.5.6Cardiac Output4.5.7Coordination of Heart Action4.5.8Heart Dissection4.5.9Controlling Heart Rate4.5.10Electrocardiograms4.5.11Cardiovascular Disease4.5.12Investigating Heart Rates
4.6Ventilation & Gas Exchange
4.7Urinary System
4.9Thermal Physics
4.9.1Power & Efficiency4.9.2Work & Energy4.9.3Conservation of Energy4.9.4Pressure4.9.5First Law of Thermodynamics4.9.6Second Law of Thermodynamics4.9.7Heat Engines, Heat Pumps & Refrigerators4.9.8Non-Flow Processes4.9.9p-V Diagrams4.9.10Ideal Gases4.9.11Ideal Gases 24.9.12Thermal Energy Transfer4.9.13Thermal Energy Transfer Experiments
4.10Materials
5Contemporary Issues in Science
5.1Contemporary Issues in Science
5.2Analysing Scientific Information
Practice questions on Trends in the Periodic Table
Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.
- 1
- 2Which of the following is NOT true as we go down a group?Multiple choice
- 3Across a period:Fill in the list
- 4
- 5
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