Chemical Periodicity

Jessamae Kim M. Magsipoc

Michael Charles B. Millares
Andrea Nicole B. Perez
Trixee Anne J. Satingin
Joshua Alexander T. Valdezco
De La Salle University Dasmarias
Dasmarias, Cavite Philippines
ABSTRACT

The experiment was done to observe the properties and reactions of Groups IA, IIA, and IVA elements and
some Group IIA metal oxides, and to establish the relationships between the properties of these elements
and their groups. A representative element from different Group IA and IIA elements were observed
particularly their physical state, color and appearance. Then, 10.0 mL distilled was added to the
compounds and their solubility was tested. For Group IVA elements, a sample was obtained and the
physical state, color and appearance were observed. For Group IIA metal oxides, their solubility was first
tested by adding 10.0 mL of distilled water. Then, a small sample from the reaction was transferred to a
watch glass and both red and litmus paper were submerged in the solution to determine the reaction of the
metal oxide with water. All of the Group IA and Group IIA elements appear as solid and generally have a
white color however the elements differ in appearance and solubility. Some of the elements were flakey
like Lithium Carbonate and Barium Carbonate. Some have coarse particles like Potassium Carbonate and
Calcium Carbonate. Sodium Carbonate has fine crystals and Magnesium Carbonate has a powdery
appearance. In terms of solubility, only Sodium Chloride and Potassium Chloride are soluble in water.
Carbon and Silicon appear powdery. Carbon is black while Silicon is cream white in color. Tin and Lead
appear metallic and are silver or gray in color. Both Magnesium Oxide and Calcium Oxide are insoluble in
water and are basic compounds. Therefore, same elements belonging to the same group have similar
characteristics as observed from the experiment.
INTRODUCTION
Elements are classified according to groups and periods in the periodic table, and there is a
significant reason for such arrangement. The vertical rows in the periodic table are referred to as groups.
Elements having the same chemical properties are arranged in these groups. All elements in some
groups in the periodic table have a fixed number of valence electrons, particularly in Groups IA and IIA
which are Alkali metals and Alkaline Earth metals respectively. Group IA elements have 1 valence
electron and have low ionization energies, meaning they have a great tendency to lose these electrons.
These metals are also reactive and are found in their purest state in nature. They react with water to
produce hydrogen gas, and a corresponding metal hydroxide. On the other hand, Group IIA elements are
less reactive than IA metals. They have 2 valence electrons and lose these electrons during chemical
reactions. However, Alkaline Earth metals react with water variably. Group IVA elements form compounds
and have variable oxidation number (+2, +4). For carbon and silicon, the +4 oxidation state is more
stable. The first member in this group, carbon, is a nonmetal. The next member, silicon, is a metalloid.
The metals in this group, tin and lead, do not react with water, but they do react with acids to liberate
hydrogen gas.

MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY

Small amounts of Lithium Carbonate, Sodium Carbonate , Potassium Carbonate, Magnesium
Carbonate, Calcium Carbonate, and Barium Carbonate were placed in different test tubes and the
physical state, color and appearance of each sample were then observed and recorded. Then, the
solubility of each sample was tested by adding 10.0 mL of distilled water. Small amounts of Carbon, Tin,
Silicon, and Lead were placed in different test tubes and the physical state, color and appearance of each
sample were identified and recorded. A small amount of Magnesium Oxide and Calcium Oxide were
placed in different test tubes. Then, the solubility of each sample was tested by adding 10.0 mL of distilled
water. A small amount of the dissolved Magnesium Oxide was transferred in a watch glass and both blue
and red litmus paper was submerged to determine the pH of the metal oxides (acid or base). Then, the
same procedure was done with Calcium Oxide.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Table 1: Group IA and IIA Elements
Compound

Physical State

Color

Appearance

Li2Co3
Na2CO3
K2CO3

Solid
Solid
Solid

White
White
White

MgCO3
CaCO3
BaCO3

Solid
Solid
Solid

White
White
White

Flaky
Fine Crystalline
Coarse/
Circular
Particles
Powdery
Coarse Particles
Flaky

Solubility in
Water
Insoluble
Soluble
Soluble
Insoluble
Insoluble
Insoluble

The table shows the physical state, color, appearance and solubility in water of different
compounds. All compounds have a solid physical state and a color of white. The compounds only differ
on the appearance and solubility in water. Lithium Carbonate was insoluble in water and has a flaky
appearance. Sodium Carbonate was soluble in water with a fine crystalline appearance. Potassium
Carbonate was soluble in water with a circular appearance. Magnesium Carbonate was insoluble in water
with powdery appearance. Calcium Carbonate was insoluble in water with coarse appearance. Barium
Carbonate was insoluble in water with a flaky appearance. All compounds were insoluble in water except
Sodium Carbonate and Potassium Carbonate.
Table 2: Some Group IVA Elements
Sample
C
Sn
Si
Pb

Physical State
Solid
Solid
Solid
Solid

Color
Black
Silver
Cream White
Gray

Appearance
Powdery
Metallic
Powdery
Metallic

The table shows the physical state, color and appearance of the samples used namely Carbon,
Tin, Silicon and Lead. All samples have a physical state of solid but differ on the color and appearance.
Carbon has a color of black and powdery appearance. Tin has a color of silver and metallic appearance.
Silicon has a color of cream white and powdery appearance. Lead has a color of gray and metallic
appearance.

Table 3: Some Group IIA Metal Oxides

Compound

Solubility in Water

MgO
CaO

Insoluble
Insoluble

Reaction to Blue
Litmus Paper
None
None

Reaction to Red
Litmus Paper
Turned to blue (Basic)
Turned to blue (Basic)

The table shows the solubility in water and reaction to blue and red litmus paper of the
compounds namely Magnesium Oxide and Calcium Oxide. Both exhibited insolubility in water, no reaction
to blue litmus paper and turned red litmus paper into blue indicating that these compounds are basic.
Based on the physical appearance of Carbon, Silicon, Tin, and Lead the trend in the metallic
properties increases as one goes down a group within the periodic table.
Elements in the group have similar chemical characteristics because the arrangement of
electrons at the periphery of the atoms is the same.
Two atoms of the Group IA element are needed to react with Carbonate because a Carbonate ion
requires two electrons for it to become stable and a Group IA element only readily loses one electron. On
the other hand, Group IIA elements readily lose two electrons, which is why only one atom of the element
is required for both elements to become stable.
References
Chang and Goldsby. General Chemistry: The Essential Concepts. 7 th Edition. McGraw Hill International
Edition
Masterton, Hurley and Neth. General Chemistry. Philippine edition. C&E Publishing Inc.