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This page describes and explains the trends in atomic and physical
properties of the Period 3 elements from sodium to argon. It covers
ionisation energy, atomic radius, electronegativity, electrical
conductivity, melting point and boiling point.
Atomic Properties
Electronic structures
Na [Ne] 3s1
Mg [Ne] 3s2
Al [Ne] 3s2 3px1
Si [Ne] 3s2 3px1 3py1
P [Ne] 3s2 3px1 3py1 3pz1
S [Ne] 3s2 3px2 3py1 3pz1
Cl [Ne] 3s2 3px2 3py2 3pz1
Ar [Ne] 3s2 3px2 3py2 3pz2
Notice that the general trend is upwards, but this is broken by falls
between magnesium and aluminium, and between phosphorus and
sulphur.
In fact the increasing nuclear charge also drags the outer electrons
in closer to the nucleus. That increases ionisation energies still
more as you go across the period.
The 3p electron is slightly more distant from the nucleus than the
3s, and partially screened by the 3s electrons as well as the inner
electrons. Both of these factors offset the effect of the extra proton.
Atomic radius
The trend
The general trend towards smaller atoms across the period is NOT
broken at argon. You aren't comparing like with like. The only safe
thing to do is to ignore argon in the discussion which follows.
Note: If you aren't sure about the way that atomic radii are
measured, it is essential to follow this link before you go any further.
If you don't know about hybridisation, just ignore this comment - you
won't need it for UK A level purposes anyway.
Electronegativity
The Pauling scale is the most commonly used. Fluorine (the most
electronegative element) is assigned a value of 4.0, and values
range down to caesium and francium which are the least
electronegative at 0.7.
The trend
Physical Properties
Use the BACK button (or GO menu or HISTORY file) on your browser
to return to this page when you are ready.
The other difference you need to be aware of is the way the atoms
are packed in the metal crystal.
Silicon has a giant covalent structure just like diamond. A tiny part
of the structure looks like this:
In the liquid or solid state, the molecules are held close to each
other by van der Waals dispersion forces.
Note: You will find van der Waals dispersion forcesdescribed in
great detail if you follow this link
Electrical conductivity
The chart shows how the melting and boiling points of the elements
change as you go across the period. The figures are plotted in
kelvin rather than °C to avoid having negative values.
Melting and boiling points rise across the three metals because of
the increasing strength of the metallic bonds.
Silicon
The sizes of the melting and boiling points are governed entirely by
the sizes of the molecules. Remember the structures of the
molecules:
Phosphorus
Phosphorus contains P4 molecules. To melt phosphorus you don't
have to break any covalent bonds - just the much weaker van der
Waals forces between the molecules.
Sulphur
Chlorine
Argon
Argon molecules are just single argon atoms, Ar. The scope for van
der Waals attractions between these is very limited and so the
melting and boiling points of argon are lower again.