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Standard 10

Science and Technology


1. School of Elements
1. School of Elements
1.1 Dobereiners Triads 1.2 Newlands Law of octaves
1.3 Mendeleevs Periodic Table 1.4 Modern Periodic Table

Activity 1.1
You all must have been to a shopping mall or a grocery store near your house. Have you
observed how the items are stored in the shelves or counters? Is there a particular pattern in
which they are kept?
In your house, your mother often asks you to keep your books, clothes and other things in
order. How do you arrange them so that you can retrieve them easily when you require
them?
Go to your school library. Observe how the books are arranged. Ask your librarian whether
any particular method of classification is adopted.
You all know that matter can exist in the form of elements, compounds and mixtures. When
elements were discovered, scientists adopted different ways to classify them. In earlier days, very
few elements were known. At that time, they were classified as metals and non-metals on the
basis of their properties. Some elements showed properties of both metals and non-metals and
they could not be placed in any of the two classes. To overcome these difficulties, scientists tried
to find out some pattern or regularity in the properties of elements.
1.1 Dobereiners Triads
Johann Wolfgang Dobereiner, a German scientist (1780 1849) studied as a pharmacist at
Munchberg in Germany and then studied chemistry at Strasbourg. He later became professor of
chemistry and pharmacy at the University of Jena.
In 1829, he found some groups of three elements which showed similar properties. These
groups were called as triads. In these triads, atomic mass of the middle element was
approximately the mean of atomic masses of other two elements. Also these elements showed
similarities in properties. The table below shows four triads arranged vertically.
Table 1.1
Element Atomic Mass
Lithium (Li) 6.9
Sodium (Na) 23
Potassium (K) 39
Calcium (Ca) 40.1
Strontium (Sr) 87.6
Barium (Ba) 137.3
Chlorine (Cl) 35.5
Bromine (Br) 79.9
Iodine (I) 126.9
Sulphur (S) 32
Selenium (Se) 79
Tellurium (Te) 128
In the above table, take the triad of Lithium, Sodium and Potassium. The atomic mass of
Sodium (23) is the mean of the atomic masses of Lithium and Potassium.
Similarly, you can verify the atomic masses of Strontium, Bromine and Selenium from the
other triads.
The triads were known as Dobereiners triads.
Dobereiner could identify only some triads from the elements known. Other triads did not obey
Dobereiners rule. Hence the system of triads was not useful.
1.2 Newlands Octaves
British chemist Newlands
(1837 1898) was born in
London and studied at
Royal college of
chemistry. He set up a
practice as an analytical
chemist in 1864 and in
1868 became chief chemist
in a sugar refinery. Later
he left the refinery and
Newlands worked as an analyst.

After the failure of Dobereiners triads, the next attempt to classify elements was done by
Newlands. By this time 56 elements were discovered. Newlands arranged all these elements in
increasing order of their atomic masses. He found that every eighth element had properties
similar to that of the first. He compared this to the octave found in music. Therefore his
classification was known as Newlands Octaves.
Newlands law states that When the elements are arranged in an increasing order of
their atomic masses, the properties of the eighth element are similar to the first.
Table 1.2

H Li Be B C N O
F Na Mg Al Si P S
Cl K Ca Cr Ti Mn Fe
Some features of Newlands table
Newland could arrange elements only up to calcium out of total 56 elements known.
After calcium every eighth element did not posses properties similar to that of the first.
At the time of Newlands only 56 elements were known. But later several elements were
discovered.
In order to fit the existing elements Newland placed two elements in the same position
which differed in their properties.
This periodic table did not include inert (noble) gases because they were not discovered.
Activity 1.2
Identify Dobereiners triads in Newlands table. (Table 1.2) Answer
Mendeleevs Periodic Table
Dimitri Mendeleev, a
Russian chemist (1834 -
1907) was born at
Tobolsk, Siberia. He
studied science at St.
Petersburg and graduated
in 1856. In 1863, he was
appointed to a
professorship and in
1866 he succeeded to the
chair in the university.
Mendeleev
Mendeleev examined the relationship between the atomic masses of the elements and their
physical and chemical properties. Among chemical properties, he concentrated on the
compounds formed by the elements with oxygen and hydrogen as they were very reactive and
formed compounds with most elements. By analyzing these compounds, Mendeleev believed that
atomic mass of element was the most fundamental property in classifying the elements. He
arranged elements in the increasing order of their atomic masses and found that the chemical
and physical properties of elements showed repetition after certain intervals. He arranged
known elements in the increasing order of their atomic masses in the horizontal row still he
encountered an element which had properties similar to the first element. He placed this element
below first element and thus started the second row of elements. Proceeding in this manner, he
could arrange all known elements according to their properties and thus created the first
periodic table containing 63 elements known till then.
His law is known as Mendeleevs periodic law:
The physical and chemical properties of elements are a periodic function of their
atomic masses.
The tabular arrangement of the elements based on the periodic law is called the
Mendeleevs periodic table.

Additional Information:

More information on Dobereiner


More information on Newlands
More information on Mendeleev
More information on Henry Moseley
Table 1.3 Mendeleevs Periodic Table

Table 1.4 Mendeleevs Periodic Table (with blank spaces)


1.3.1 Main Features of Mendeleevs Periodic Table
The horizontal rows in the periodic table are called periods. There are seven periods. These
are numbered from 1 to 7.
Properties of elements in a particular period show regular gradation from left to right.
Vertical columns in the periodic table are called groups. There are eight groups numbered
from I to VIII. Groups I to VII are further divided into A and B subgroups.
1.3.2 Merits of Mendeleevs Periodic Table
Mendeleev was the first who successfully classified all known elements.
Mendeleev kept some blank places in his periodic table. These vacant spaces were for
elements that were yet to be discovered. He also predicted properties of these elements even
before they were discovered. Later they were found to be correct. (Table 1.5)
When noble gases were discovered later, they were placed in Mendeleevs periodic table
without disturbing the positions of other elements.
Table 1.5
Predicted element Actual element discovered later
Eka-boron Scandium
Eka-aluminum Gallium
Eka-silicon Germanium

Table 1.6 Comparison of properties of eka-aluminum and Gallium

Eka-aluminium (Ea) Gallium (Ga)


Atomic weight About 68 69.72
Density of solid 6.0 g/cm 5.9 g/cm
Melting point Low 29.78C
Valency 3 3
Method of discovery Probably from its spectrum Spectroscopically
Formula: Ea2O3 Formula: Ga2O3
Oxide Density: 5.5 g/cm Density: 5.88 g/cm
Soluble in both acids and alkalies Soluble in both acids and alkalies

1.3.3 Demerits of Mendeleevs periodic Table


Hydrogen resembles alkali metals as well as halogens. Therefore, no fixed position could be
given to hydrogen in the periodic table.
Isotopes of same elements have different atomic masses; therefore each one of them should
be given a different position. On the other hand as isotopes are chemically similar, they had to
be given same position.
At certain places, an element of higher atomic mass has been placed before an element of
lower mass. For example, cobalt (Co = 58.93) is placed before nickel (Ni = 58.71)
Some element placed in the same sub group had different properties. e. g. Manganese (Mn) is
placed with halogens which totally differ in the properties.
Activity 1.3 (Answers)
Consider isotopes of oxygen 16O and 18O. Would you be able to place them in Mendeleevs
periodic table?
Find resemblance between hydrogen and alkali metals by writing compounds of both with
chlorine, sulphur and oxygen.
Find out a pair of elements from the periodic table where higher mass element is placed
before lower mass element.
1.4 Modern Periodic Table
In 1913, Henry Moseley, an English physicist discovered that atomic number is the most
fundamental property of an element and not its atomic mass. Atomic number (Z) of an element
is the number of electrons present in the outer shells. This discovery changed the whole
perspective about elements and their properties. Accordingly Mendeleevs periodic law was
modified into Modern periodic Law.
The modern Periodic Law states The chemical and physical properties of elements
are a periodic function of their atomic numbers.
The periodic table based on modern periodic law is called the Modern Periodic Table.
Many version of this periodic table are in use but the one which is most commonly used is Long
Form of Modern Periodic Table.
If you look at the Modern Periodic Table, you will observe that it is not much different
from Mendeleevs periodic table.

Additional Information:

Dynamic Periodic Table:


Photographic Periodic Table: This table shows the photographs of various elements.
History of the periodic table: This site has a brief history of the periodic table.
ChemiCool: This table has a link for every element which gives a detailed description of
that element.
Visual Elements: This is a really beautiful periodic table!
Web Elements: This is the most comprehensive periodic table with a great deal of
information.
1.7 : Modern Periodic Table

Activity 1.4 (Answers)


How are isotopes of different elements placed in the Modern Periodic Table?
What should be the position of Hydrogen in the Modern Periodic Table?
Write the name, symbol and electronic configuration of first ten elements.

1.4.1 Position of elements in the Modern Periodic Table


The horizontal rows in the Modern Periodic Table are called as periods and the vertical
columns are called as groups.
The Modern Periodic Table consists of seven periods and eighteen groups.
Periods are numbered from 1 to 7. Elements presenting the same period have same
number of shells which is equal to the period number.
In each period a new shell starts filling up. The period number is also the number of shell
which starts filling up in it.
The first period is the shortest period containing only two elements. Second and third
periods are called as short periods and fifth periods are long periods and containing 18
elements each. Sixth period is the longest and contains 32 elements in it. Seventh period is
an incomplete period.
Groups are numbered from 1 to 18. Elements having same number of valence electrons or
having same outer electronic configuration are present in the same group.
Elements present in the same group show same chemical properties.
Group 1 contains alkali meals. Group 2 contain alkaline earth metals. Group 17 contains
halogens. Group 18 contains inert gases.
Metals are present on the left hand side of the periodic table, whereas non-metals are
present on right side of the periodic table.
Elements present in group 1 and 2 on the left side and 13 to 17 on the right side of the
periodic table are normal elements. Their one outermost shell is incomplete.
Elements present in groups 3 to 12 in the middle of the periodic table are called as
transition elements. Their two outermost shells are incomplete.
Group 18 on the extreme right of the periodic table contains inert gases. Their outermost
shell contains 8 electrons.
Elements placed at the bottom of the periodic table are called as inner transition elements.
They contain two series of elements lanthanides and actinides.
14 elements with atomic numbers 58 to 71 (Ce to Lu) are called as lanthanides. These
elements are placed along with lanthanum (La = 57) in the same group 3 in period 6
because of very close resemblance in properties between them.
14 elements with atomic numbers 90 to 103 (Th to Lr) are called as actinides. These
elements are placed along with actinium (Ac = 89) in the same group 3 in period 7
because of very close resemblance in properties.

Activity 1.5 (Answers)


1. Write the electronic configuration of elements from atomic number 11 to 18.
2. What similarities do you find in their electronic configuration?
3. How many valence electrons are present in sodium, aluminum and chlorine?
4. Write the electronic configuration of (i) Mg and Ca, (ii) F and Cl.
5. Do these elements contain same number of valence electrons?
6. Write electronic configuration of B, O, Na, Al, S and K.

Activity 1.6 (Answers)


1. Classify elements from atomic number 11 to 18 as metals and non-metals depending on
the electrons present in the outermost shell.
2. Write the electronic configuration of Mg, K, Ar and F.

Elements in the modern periodic table are classified on the basis of their electronic
configuration. They are divided into four blocks: sblock, pblock, dblock and fblock.
Groups 1 and 2 are included in sblock. These elements contain 1 or 2 electrons in their
outermost shell. All these elements are metals.
Groups 13 to 17 and 0 group elements are included in pblock. They contain 3 to 8 electrons
in their outermost shell. Pblock contains all types of elements, i.e. metals, nonmetals and
metalloids.
Elements from sblock and pblock are called as normal elements. These elements have
outermost shell incomplete except 0 group elements.
0 group elements have completed outermost shell. They are called as inert elements or noble
elements. All these elements are gases.
Groups 3 to 12 are known as dblock elements. These elements have two outermost shells
incomplete. They are known as transition elements. All these elements are metals.
Elements present at the bottom of the periodic table, i.e. lanthanides and actinides are called
as f-block elements. They have three incomplete outermost shells. They are called as inner
transition elements. All these elements are metals.

Activity 1.7 (Answers)


1. Select any 20 elements from all groups.
2. Identify the block to which each element belongs.
3. Identify the group to which the element belongs.

1.4.2 Merits of Modern periodic Table over Mendeleevs periodic Table


All isotopes of the same elements have different masses but same atomic number. Therefore,
they occupy the same position in the modern periodic table.
When elements are arranged according to their atomic numbers the anomaly regarding
certain pairs of elements in Mendeleevs periodic table disappears. e. g. atomic number of
Cobalt and Nickel are 27 and 28 respectively. Therefore, Cobalt will come first and then
Nickel, although its atomic mass is greater.
Elements are classified according to their electronic configuration into different blocks.
1.4.3 Periodic Properties:
The properties which show gradual variation in a group and in a period and they repeat
themselves after a certain interval of atomic number are called periodic properties.
Valency: The valency of an element is determined by the number of valence electrons
present in the outermost shell of an atom. All the elements of a group have the same number
of valency increase from 1 to 4 for the second and third period and then decreases from 4 to
0 when you go from left to right in the table.
Atomic Size: Atomic size is determined using atomic radius. For an isolated atom, atomic
radius. For an isolated atom, atomic distance is the distance between the centre of atom and
the outermost shell. In a period, atomic radius generally decreases from left to right. This is
because the electrons are added to same shell and experience greater pull from the nucleus.
Atomic radius increases in a group from top to bottom as new shells are added bringing
outermost electrons farther from the nucleus.
Metallic and non-metallic properties: Metals show tendency to lose electrons. Therefore,
they are said to be electropositive. Non-metals show tendency to accept electrons or share
electrons with another atom. Therefore, they are said to be electronegative. Metallic
character deceases and non-metallic character increases from left to right in a period. This is
because atomic size decreases. Therefore, the electrons are all metals and on the right of
periodic table in the group, lower members are metals. In a group, metallic character
increases and non-metallic character decreases from top to bottom. This is because atomic
size increases and valence electrons can be easily removed. In group 14, first element is
carbon (C) which is non-metal, next two elements silicon (Si) and germanium (Ge) are
metalloids and remaining elements Tin (Sn) and Lead (Pb) are metals. In the modern
periodic table, a zig-zag line separates metals from non-metals. The borderline elements i.e.
boron (B), Silicon (Si), Germanium (Ge), Arsenic (As), Tellurium (Te) and Polonium (Po)
show intermediate properties and are called as metalloids or semi-metals.
Activity 1.8 (Answers)
1. How do you calculate valency of an element from its electronic configuration?
2. What is the valency of elements with atomic number 8, 14, 17 and 20?
3. How does valency vary in a period and in a group?

Activity 1.9 (Answers)


1. Atomic radii of elements of third period are given below:
Period 3 elements S Na Cl P Mg Si Al
Atomic radius (pm) : 127 190 99 128 160 132 143
a) Arrange them in the decreasing order of their atomic radii.
b) Are they arranged as in the periodic table?
c) Which are the atoms of highest and lowest atomic radii?
d) What trend is observed in the atomic radii in a period from left to right?
2. Atomic radii of group 17 are given below:
Group 17 elements I F Cl Br
Atomic radius (pm) : 133 72 99 114
a) Arrange them in the increasing order of their atomic radii.
b) Are they arranged as in the periodic table?
c) Which are the atoms of highest and lowest atomic radii?
d) What trend is observed in the atomic radii down the group?

Concept Map
Classification of elements

Arranged with Arranged with Arranged with


Groups of three increasing atomic increasing atomic increasing atomic
elements having mass mass number
similar properties

Limitations Further Research


led to modified to led to
Dobereiners Newlands Mendeleevs Modern
Triads Octaves Periodic Periodic
Table Table
EXERCISES
Q.1 Fill in the blanks:
1. The formula of chloride of metal M is MCl2. The metal M belongs to __________ group.
2. __________ group in the periodic table contains elements that are all gases at room
temperature.
3. The arrangement of elements in a group of three is known as __________.
4. The law used by Newlands to arrange elements is known as __________.
5. The element eka-aluminum in Mendeleevs periodic table is known as __________ in the
modern periodic table.
6. Elements showing properties of both metals and non-metals are known as __________.
Q.2 Give scientific reasons:
1. Atomic size increases down the group.
2. Metallic character decreases from left to right in a period.
3. Elements in the same group show same valency.
Q.3 Match the following:
Element Column A
Sodium Non-metal
Sulphur Lanthanide
Manganese Metal
Cerium Transition metal
Q.4 Answer the following:
1. How could the modern periodic table remove the various anomalies of Mendeleevs
periodic table?
2. In the modern periodic table, which are the metals, non-metals and metalloids among
the first twenty elements?
3. What are the demerits of Mendeleevs periodic table?
4. Define atomic size. How does it vary in a period and in a group?
Q.5 Name:
1. Three elements having a single electron in their outermost shell.
2. Three elements with filled outermost shell.
3. Three elements having 7 electrons in their outermost shell.

For answers to all the above questions, CLICK HERE


Additional Information:

Swadhyaya Pustika Published by the SSC Board

Last updated on : Friday, August 17, 2012 22:40:54

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