The periodic table is a classification of elements and is used to predict the

properties of elements and their compounds

VERTICAL COLUMNS OR GROUPS
Vertical column in the periodic table is commonly known as groups. There are 18
groups in the periodic table.

Group IThese elements are commonly known as alkali metals. As these metals
react with cold water to yield metal hydroxide solution, so these are known as alkali
metals.

Group VII These elements are commonly known as halogens. Halogen is a Greek
word, which means salt producer. As these elements react with metals to form salts,
so these are known as halogen.

Zero GroupThese elements are commonly known as noble gases. As these

elements do not take part in chemical reactions, so these are known as noble gases
or inert gases.

The group number of an element indicate the number of electron in the outermost
shell of an atom and all the elements, in a particular group, have same number of
valency electrons.
HORIZONTAL ROWS OR PERIODS
Horizontal rows are commonly known as periods. There are seven periods in the
periodic table.
The periodic number of an element indicate the total number of energy level or shell
of an atom and all the elements, in a particular period, have same number of energy
levels or shells

GROUP I ELEMENT OR ALKALIS

This group contain the following elements, Lithium(Li), Sodium (Na), Potassium (K),
Rubidium (Rb), Cesium (Cs),Francium (Fr). The elements of this group known as
alkali metals have following characteristics properties.

 They all are metals.

In general metals have high melting points, densities and are hard. But metals of this
group have:
1) Low melting points (such as melting points of sodium is 97 oC ) as compared to
other metals.
2) Low densities as compared to other metals due to this reason these metals
float on the surface of water.
3) These metals are soft as compared to other metals and can be cut with the
help of sharp edge or knife.
 They are equivalent, i.e. they have one electron in their outermost shell).
 They are conductors of electricity.
 They are most electropositive elements, i.e. they easily lose their valence
electron and acquire positive charge.
  They are strong reducing agents, i.e. they are electron donors. Their melting
and boiling points decrease down the group.
Alkali Metals Melting points Alkali Metals Melting points
Lithium 181oC Rubidium 39oC
Sodium 97oC Cesium 29oC
Potassium 63oC

REACTIONS OF THIS GROUP

In general these are reactive metals. However, within group, their reactivity
increases down the group.
REACTION WITH WATER
They react with cold water vigorously to liberate hydrogen gas and form metal
hydroxide solution. Thus, they are known as the alkali metals. For example,

2K + 2H2O → 2KOH + H2
2Na + 2H2O → 2NaOH + H2
REACTION WITH HALOGEN
They react with halogen ,very vigorously, to form ionic compound. These compound
have high melting and boiling points. For example,

2K + CI2 → 2KCI
2Na + CI2 → 2NaCI
REACTION WITH OXYGEN
These metals on their exposure to air, react with oxygen to form oxides for example,
4K + O2 → 2K2O
4Na + O2 → 2Na2O
These oxides dissolve in water to form strong alkalis.

2Na2O + 2H2O → 2NaOH + H2

As these metals react with oxygen and water vapours(in air), on their exposure to
air, so they kept under oil to protect them from oxygen and moisture.

Solubility of alkali metal compounds

Their all compounds are water-soluble.

GROUP VII ELEMENTS OR HALOGENS

This group contain Fluorine (F), Chlorine (Cl), Bromine (Br), Iodine (I) and
Astatine (At). The elements of this group are commonly known as halogens:

CHARACTERISTICS OF HALOGENS
They have following characteristics properties,
 They have seven electrons in their valence shells.
 They are non-metals.
 They exist as diatomic molecules. Such as Fluorine F2 , Chlorine Cl2 etc.
 They are uni-negative, i.e. they gain one electron to attain the electronic
configuration of noble gases.
 They are strong oxidizing agents, i.e. they are electron acceptor.
 Their melting and boiling points increases down the group.
 They produce colored vapours.
Halogen Physical State at Colour of vapours
room temperature
Fluorine Gas Pale yellow
Chlorine Gas Greenish yellow
Bromine Liquid Reddish brown
Iodine Solid Violet
Astatine Solid black

REACTIONS OF HALOGENS
These are most reactive non-metals. However, within group their reactivity
decreases down the group.

REACTIONS WITH METALS

They react with metals quickly to form ionic compounds. For example,

2Na + CI2 → 2NaCI

REACTIONS WITH HYDROGEN
They react with hydrogen to form gaseous covalent hydrides which dissolve in
water to form halogen acids. For example,

H2 + CI → 2HCI
HCI + H2O → HCI

DIAPLACEMENT REACTION OF HALOGENS

 The halogens displace each other from their compounds depending on
their relative strength as oxidizing agent. Thus, if chlorine is bubbled through
colorless solution of potassium bromide, the red colour of bromine is produced
immediately,
CI2 + 2KBr → 2KCI + Br2
CI2 + 2KI → 2KCI + I2

SOLUBILITY OF HALOGEN COMPOUNDS

Their most compounds are water soluble. However, few halogen compounds are
water insoluble, such as lead and silver halides.

TRANSITION ELEMENTS
Between group I and group III is a collection of elements which show similar
behavior. These are known as transition elements. As they all are metals so they are
known as transition metals.

CHARACTERISTICE OF TRANSITION METALS

They have following characteristics properties
 They have high melting and boiling points.
 They have high density.
 They are good conductors of electricity.
 They show variable valencys, such as iran (Fe 2+ and Fe 3+), copper (Cu 1+
and Cu 2+).
 Their complex ions as well as hydrated ions are mostly coloured.
Copper II sulphate (blue)
Copper II Oxide (black)
 These metals and their compounds are often used as catalysts in various
industrial processes. For example,
Catalyst Process
Fe or Fe2O3 Haber process (synthesis of ammonia
from hydrogen and nitrogen)
V2O5 Contact process (manufacture of
sulphuric acid)
Ni Hydrogenation of fats (manufacture of
margarine)

CATALYST
A substance which alter (increase or decrease) the rate of reaction but
itself remains chemically and quantitatively unchanged at the end of reaction is
known as a catalyst. A catalyst which increases rate of reaction is called positive
catalyst and a catalyst which decreases rate of reaction is called negative catalyst.

CHARACTERISTICS OF CATALYST
 A catalyst remain unchanged in chemical nature and in mass at the end of a
reaction.
 The physical feature such as colour and texture may be changed.
 It is generally specific in action, i.e. a given catalyst will act on only one
particular reaction.
 It cannot start a reaction. It is only effective in a reaction which is already in
progress.
  It does not affect the type of product formed in a reaction.
 It has no effect on the equilibrium of a reversible reaction.
 Generally, it will function even through it is present in only minute
proportions.

ZERO GROUP ELEMENTS

This group contain following elements, Helium (He), Neon (Ne), Argon (Ar),
Krypton (Kr), Radon(Ra), Xenon (Xe).

CHARACTERISTICE OF NOBLE GASES

They have following characteristics,
 They are colourless gases consisting of monoatomic molecules.
 They are also known as noble gases or inert gases, as they do not take part in
chemical reaction.
 Their ionization energies are very high. It means that they have stable
arrangement of electrons, i.e. they have eight electron in their valence shell,
except helium which has two.
Noble gas Uses
Helium In airships, weather balloons.
Argon Inert gas for electric bulbs and welding
Neon In advertising lights

THE POSITION OF HYDROGEN IN THE PERIODIC TABLE

Hydrogen is often placed by itself in the periodic table. This is because the
properties of hydrogen are unique. Such as, it has one outer electron like Group I
metals, but unlike them it is a gas and it usually react like a non-metal. Therefore, it
is often placed at the top in period I of the periodic table.

EXAMINATION QUESTIONS
SECTION A
For each question, four suggested answers are given: you have to choose the most
appropriate one.
1) Elements are arranged in periodic table due to their increase in:
a) Atomic number c) Mass number
b) Number of neutrons d) None of the above

2) Elements A, Band C are in same period of Periodic Table. If the element A is a

non-metal, element B is a metal and C shows properties of both metals and
non-metals. Which of the following represents the order of these in the
periodic table?
a) ABC c) BAC
b) CBA d) BCA

3) The metal cesium is in the same group as sodium. Which statement is most
likely to be correct
a) Cesium is less dense than sodium
b) Cesium ion has higher charge than the sodium ion
c) Cesium reacts more vigorously with water than sodium
d) Cesium reacts with chlorine to form covalent compounds

4) Which statement is correct for the ions of group VII elements?

a) Each contain more proton than neutron
b) Each contain more electron than proton
c) Each contain seven electron in its valence shell
d) Each has the same number of protons as neutron

5) Three elements A, B and C have consecutive increasing atomic numbers. If

element A is a noble gas, what will be the symbol for the ion of element C in its
compounds?
a) C2+ c) C2−
b) C1+ d) C1−

6) Which of the following statement correctly describe a trend in the properties

of the elements from left to right across the periods in periodic table?
a) The metallic character of an atom decreases
b) The number of protons in an atom decreases
c) The number of neutrons in an atom decreases
d) The metallic character of an atom increases

7) Which of these statement about metals has no exceptions to it?

a) Metals and solid c) Metals form positive ions
b) Metals and hard d) Metals have high melting points
8) Astatine is in group VII of the periodic table. Which statement is most likely to
be correct for element astatine?
a) It is liquid at room temperature c) It conduct electricity
b) It readily forms At+ ions d) It exists in diatomic molecular form

9) A new element ‘Z’ thought to be halogens, has been discovered. Its relative
atomic mass is found to be 370. Which of the following are likely properties of
element ‘Z’?
a) A dark green gas which is soluble in water
b) A black liquid which boils giving a dark brown vapour
c) A white solid which reacts with an acid to form hydrogen gas
d) A black solid which has a high melting point than chlorine

10) Which one of the following metal conducts electricity and also melts
below 100oC?
a) Carbon c) Sodium
b) Diamond d) Copper

11) Which statement about noble gases is correct?

a) They are very reactive elements
b) They all have eight electron in their valence shell
c) They all have a stable arrangement of electron
d) Only helium combine with other elements

12) The elements with the atomic number 14 is likely to have similar
chemical properties to the element with the atomic number:
 a) 3 c) 5
b) 11 d) 31

13) Which of the following element is most likely to form coloured salts:
a) Be c) Mg
b) Fe d) Rb

SECTION B
Question #1
The periodic table will help you to answer this question. Give the symbol of:
a) A non-metal used to sterilize water:
________________________________________________________________________________
b) An element which consist of diatomic molecules:
________________________________________________________________________________
c) The most reactive element in group VII is:
________________________________________________________________________________
d) An element which reacts with water to give an alkaline solution:
________________________________________________________________________________
e) An element which forms an ion of the type X2−:
________________________________________________________________________________
f) The main element present in steel is:

Question #2
 I. Selenium Se, is in group VI of the periodic table:
I. How many electrons are there in the outer shell of an atom of selenium?
________________________________________________________________________________
II. Is selenium a metal or a non-metal?
________________________________________________________________________________
III. Will the oxides of selenium be acidic, basic or amphoteric?
________________________________________________________________________________
IV. Write the formula of an ion you would predict selenium to form.
________________________________________________________________________________

II.
I. Name two of the noble gases.
________________________________________________________________________________
II. Describe one property of the element of the noble gas group
________________________________________________________________________________
III. Describe a use of one of the gas named in (I)
________________________________________________________________________________
IV. Choose from the following list the metal that is most likely to act as a catalyst,
Give a reason for your choice.
Beryllium Lead Titanium Aluminium
________________________________________________________________________________

QUESTION # 3
Use the list of element to answer the question that follow.
Bromine Carbon Chromium Helium
Magnesium Phosphorus Sodium Sulphur
In your answer you may use an element once, more than once, or not at all,
Choose one of the following element which:
a) Forms a basic oxide,
________________________________________________________________________________
b) Has a high density and forms coloured compounds,
________________________________________________________________________________
c) Is composed of diatomic molecules,
________________________________________________________________________________
d) Is a liquid at room temperature and pressure.
________________________________________________________________________________

QUESTION # 4
Selecting from the element with atomic number 1-36only, write down the symbol of
an element which is a,
a) Noble gas:
________________________________________________________________________________
b) Transition metal:
________________________________________________________________________________
c) Non-metal with a boiling point of above 100oC:
________________________________________________________________________________

d) Diatomic, unreactive elements:

________________________________________________________________________________

e) Non-metal that form a solid oxide:

________________________________________________________________________________
QUESTION # 5

Lithium is a group I of periodic table. It reacts with water to form lithium hydroxide
and hydrogen.

a) Describe what you would observe when a piece of lithium is dropped onto the
surface of cold water.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

b) Write the equation for the reaction between lithium and water.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

c) When lithium reacts with water, lithium ions, Li are formed.

Li → Li+ + 1e−
Explain why the formation of lithium ion from lithium atom is an example of
oxidation:
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

d) Rubidium Rb, is another element of group I.

Predict what you would observe when a small piece of rubidium is dropped
onto cold water.
 __________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________

QUESTION # 6
Use the substances named in the table to answer the following questions,
Name of substance Melting point (oC) Boiling point(oC) Percentage by
Volume in air
Argon −189 −186 0.93
Carbon dioxide Sublimes at −78 0.03
Helium −270 −269 0.0005
Nitrogen −210 −196 78.03
Oxygen −219 −183 20.99