Quantum numbers and the periodic table for IITJEE and AIEEE

An element's location on the periodic table reflects the quantum numbers of the last orbital filled

The period

indicates the value of principal quantum number and actinides

for the valence shell

the lanthanides

are in periods 6 and 7, respectively. ( ) for the last subshell that received

The block

indicates value of azimuthal quantum number

electrons in building up the electron configuration.

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blocks are named for subshells (s, p, d, f) Each block contains a number of columns equal to the number of electrons that can occupy that subshell

The s-block (in orange) has 2 columns, because a maximum of 2 electrons can occupy the single orbital in an s-subshell. The p-block (in purple) has 6 columns, because a maximum of 6 electrons can occupy the three orbitals in a p-subshell. The d-block (in green) has 10 columns, because a maximum of 10 electrons can occupy the five orbitals in a d-subshell. The f-block (in dark blue) has 14 columns, because a maximum of 14 electrons can occupy the seven orbitals in a f-subshell.

questions to ponder

What would the periodic table look like in a hypothetical universe where:

there were 3 possible values of ms, instead of 2? the angular momentum quantum number could take on values from 1 to n-1 only? values of m = 0 were not allowed? the maximum value of n were 5?

Factors affecting the valence shell

Periodic Properties - QUICK notes for IITJEE and AIEEE

Factors affecting the valence shell. Anything that influences the valence electrons will affect the chemistry of the element.
Factors (in order of decreasing importance) 1. valence principal quantum number n 2. nuclear charge Z 3. number of core electrons Effect Larger n means a larger valence shell (because n controls the size of orbitals) Larger Z means a smaller valence shell (because higher positive charge on the nucleus attracts the valence electrons, and pulls them inward) More core electrons means a larger valence shell (because highly penetrating core electrons repel valence electrons, and push them farther from the nucleus)

Atomic radius

what does atomic radius really mean?

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atoms have no definite surface a simple model: bound atoms are like touching spheres adding atomic radii for two bound atoms gives an estimate of bond length

Explaining periodic trends in atomic radius. See the section on factors affecting the valence shell above.
trend going right valence n no Z # core electrons net effect on atomic radius the increase in Z causes a decrease in radius

increases no

across main group rows... going right across transition series... going down groups...

change no change

change increases increases the increase in Z causes a decrease in radius, but the increase in the number of core electrons causes an increase. The two competing effects cause a small decrease, then small increase! three competing effects; but n is strongest, so radius increases.

increases increases increases

using the trends

to compare atoms in different groups and different periods, look for atoms that must be intermediate in size

this isn't always possible! example: Which is larger, a silicon atom, or a selenium atom?

Ionic radius

periodic trends parallel those of atomic radius cations are always smaller than the parent atom

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removing an electron decreases electron-electron repulsion, so the electron clouds contract emptying the valence shell completely leaves only electrons with lower n value

anions are always larger than the parent atom adding an electron to an atom increases electron-electron repulsion and swells the electron cloud ions and atoms

comparing radii for isoelectronic

size within isoelectronic series is affected only by Z example F , Ne, and Na are isoelectronic, with Z = 9, 10, and 11, respectively. All have identical valence n and identical numbers of electrons, so the larger Z is, the smaller the atom or ion. Na is the smallest and F is the largest.
+ +

Ionization energy

ionization energy is the minimum amount of energy required to remove an electron from an atom or ion in the gas phase normally, ionization removes valence electrons first

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valence electrons are farthest from nucleus on average, so they feel the least attraction for the nucleus and are easiest to remove end of valence electrons is marked by a big jump in ionization energies

Na(g)

Na (g) + e

H = +496 kJ

first ionization energy

Na (g)

Na (g) + e

+2

H = +4560 kJ second ionization energy

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core orbitals have lower n, and are much more penetrating than valence orbitals proximity to nucleus makes core electrons much more difficult to remove core noble gas configurations have high stability

factors affecting ionization energy atomic radius

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charge

smaller atoms hang on to valence electrons more tightly, and so have higher ionization energy

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the higher the positive charge becomes, the harder it is to pull away additional electrons second ionization energy is always higher than the first

orbital penetration It's easier to remove electrons from p orbitals than from s orbitals

electron pairing within a subshell, paired electrons are easier to remove than unpaired ones reason: repulsion between electrons in the same orbital is higher than repulsion between electrons in different orbitals example On the basis of gross periodic trends, one might expect O to have a higher ionization energy than N. However, the ionization energy of N is 1402 kJ/mol and the ionization energy of O is only 1314 kJ/mol. Explain.

Taking away an electron from O is much easier, because the O contains a paired electron in its valence shell which is repelled by its partner.

Why metals are metals

the ionization energy of metallic elements is very low valence electrons are easily lost, and shared among all atoms in the metal this 'sea' of valence electrons binds together the metal cations and gives metals their characteristic properties

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mobility of electrons in the sea explains metal's ability to conduct electricity and heat metals are workable because cations can slide past each other but still be bound by the electron sea

comparing metals

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more valence electrons means stronger metal higher positive charge on cations, higher negative charge on sea = stronger bonding

Explaining elemental properties: the s block elements

Periodic Properties - QUICK notes for IITJEE and AIEEE

The properties of the alkali metals ultimately result from their ns valence configuration.
property of alkali metals metallic soft low densities highly reactive explanation very low ionization energy; the electron sea model works well for alkali metals ns valence configuration contributes just 1 electron to the electron sea. The sea is weak. Metal cations aren't tightly bound and it's easy to slide them past each other. Alkali metals have the largest radii and lowest atomic weight in each period. Low mass in high volume = low density. very low ionization energies make alkali metals good electron donors in redox reactions.
1

the alkaline earth metals (Group IIA)

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soft, but harder than alkali metals

ns valence configuration = more electrons in the sea = more tightly bound metal cations

reactive, but not as reactive as alkali metals ionization energies are not as low as alkali metals

salts less soluble than those of the alkali metals higher cation charge concentrated on smaller cations makes it hard to pull apart ionic lattices