Pre.

IGCSE Grade (9)

Topic 5
The Periodic Table

­ The periodic table is a way to classify the elements

­ The elements are arranged according to the increase of their proton number where
elements show periodicity.

Group: is a set of elements are arranged vertically, having same valence electrons,
valency and consequently chemical properties but different number of energy
levels.
­ Group number indicates valence electrons.
­ Period: is a set of elements are arranged horizontally having same number of energy
levels but different valence electrons, valency and chemical properties [7 periods].
­ Period number indicates number of energy levels (electron shells).
­ The heavy zig-zag line separates metals from nonmetals
Pre. IGCSE Grade (9)
­ Metals are found at the left of the zig­zag line.
­ Non-metals are found on the right of the zig­zag line.
­ A group of elements are called “metalloids” separate the metals from the non­metals.
­ Hydrogen sites alone, as it has one valence electron but chemically behaves as
nonmetal. It has unique properties.
­ Inert gases are found at the far right of the table (group 0 or group VIII).
­ Starting from the fourth period, at the middle, transition metals are found.
­ Metallic properties decrease across the period, and increase down the group.
­ Non­metallic properties increase across the period and decrease down the group.
­ Alkaline properties decrease across the period, and increase down the group.
­ Acidic properties increase across the period, and decrease down the group.
­ Artificial elements (created in lab) mostly are in the lowest block in the bottom row.
They are radioactive and their atoms break down very quickly (That is why they are
not found in nature)
­ Now if you know where an element is, in the periodic table, you can use the pattern
and trends to predict how it will behave.
 Pre. IGCSE Grade (9)
Differences between
Metals and Non-metals

• Physical Differences:

Metals Non-metals
Usually have high melting and boiling Melting points and boiling points are low.
points. Solids at room temperature.
Exceptions: Exceptions:
Group I metals have low melting Those non­metals with macromolecular
points and mercury is a liquid. structures – carbon, silicon, boron, germanium.
Good conductors of both heat and Poor conductors Exception: graphite
electricity.
Hard Soft
Exceptions: Exceptions:
Group I metals are soft. Those non­metals with macromolecular
structures – carbon, silicon, boron, germanium.
High densities Low densities.
Exceptions:
Group I metals have low densities.
Malleable (can have their shape Brittle (do not change shape but break)
changed by hammering) Exception: diamond.
Ductile (can be pulled into wires)
Sonorous (think of a bell) Not sonorous
Can be polished to a luster (shiny) Have a dull surface
Exceptions: graphite, iodine, diamond.

• Chemical Differences:
Chemical Metals Non-metals
property
Electron distribution 1, 2 or 3 valency electrons. 4, 5, 6 or 7 valency electrons.
and bonding These are lost to form cations Either gain electrons to form anions
(positive ions). (negative ions) or share electron pairs.
Type of compound Form ionic compounds with Form covalent compounds with other
non­metals non­metals
Reaction with acids Many react with dilute acids to Do not react with acids to give a salt
give a salt and hydrogen. and hydrogen.
Their oxides Most are basic oxide Most are acidic oxide
Pre. IGCSE Grade (9)

Group properties
“Group I [Alkali Metals]”

• React with water forming alkalis, (pH 12 14).

Physical properties:

Down the Group

The alkali metals are not typical metals.
­ Soft and the softness increase [Li is the hardest one].
­ Melting point and boiling point decrease.
­ Density increases [Na, K are out of step].
­ Low density [first 3 float on water].
­ Good conductors of heat and electricity.
­ Shiny surface.

Chemical properties:
­ Monovalent.
­ Reactivity increases down the group, as loss of electrons is much easier.
­ Since they are highly reactive, they are stored under oil.
­ They form white compounds.
Pre. IGCSE Grade (9)

1. Reactions with water

Form metal hydroxides (alkalis) and hydrogen gas evolved.
Metal + Water Metal hydroxide + Hydrogen
2Li + 2H2O 2LiOH + H2
N.B Exothermic reaction and becomes explosive as we go down the group.

♣ Li Readily reacts, floats, melts, bubbles

♣ Na Vigorous, floats, shots across the water surface, fizzing may catch fire
[golden yellow]
♣ K Violent, floats, fizzing, hissing sound, catches fire [lilac flame]
♣ Rb Explosive

Precautions taken when group (I) metal is put in water:

Eye goggles.
Behind a screen [fume cupboard].
Small pieces of metal in large amount of water.

2. Reaction with chlorine:

Heating the three metals, and plunging them in gas jars of chlorine, they burn brightly
forming chlorides.
2Na(s) + Cl2 (g) 2NaCl(s)

3. Reaction with oxygen

Heating the three metals, and plunging them in gas jars of oxygen, they burn fiercely
forming oxides.

Uses :

♣ Li Batteries
♣ Na Street lamps
♣K Fertilizers
Pre. IGCSE Grade (9)

“Group VII [Halogens]”

Physical properties:
Down the group
1. Non­metals.
2. Diatomic.
3. Poisonous.
4. Melting point, boiling point, and density increase.
5. Bad conductors of heat and electricity as no free moving electrons
6. The colour is getting darker

Halogen At room temperature the element is... Boiling point/° C

Fluorine F2 Pale yellow gas ­188
Chlorine Cl2 Yellowish green gas ­35
Bromine Br2 Reddish brown liquid 59
Iodine I2 Black solid 184

Chemical properties:
1. They gain electrons forming negative ions
2. Monovalent.
3. React with metals forming salts
2Na + Cl2 2NaCl
2Fe + 3Br2 2FeBr3
2Al + 3I2 2AlI3

4. Chemical reactivity decreases down the group.

Cl2 + 2KBr (aq) 2KCl (aq) + Br2 (aq)

Colourless reddish brown
Cl2 + 2KI (aq) 2KCl (aq) + I2 (aq)
Colourless dark brown
Br2 + 2NaI (aq) 2NaBr (aq) + I2 (aq)
Colourless dark brown
Pre. IGCSE Grade (9)
N.B. A halogen will displace a less reactive halogen from a solution of its halide.
All group I metal halides are colourless.
This type of reaction is displacement and redox reaction.

“Group Zero (VIII)

[Noble Gases]”
1. Monoatomic elements.
2. Density increases down the group.
3. Valency = 0, unreactive elements as the last energy level is completely filled with
electrons.

Uses of noble gases:

Helium ­Balloons [less dense than air, will not catch fire, so more safe than H2]
­Deep sea divers
Neon ­Advertising signs
Argon ­Fill electric bulbs to avoid burning the tungsten filament which lasts for
longer time.
­Provide inert atmosphere in welding an avoid reaction of hot metal with
oxygen of air
Krypton ­Lasers for eye surgery.
Xenon ­Lighthouse lamps and lights for hospital operating rooms.
Pre. IGCSE Grade (9)

Transition Metals
Metals are found at the middle of the periodic table.

Physical properties:
­ High density.
­ High melting and boiling point.
­ Hard as their atoms are compacted.
Chemical properties:
­ Less reactive, do not corrode readily in the atmosphere. But iron is an exceptional
case­it rusts easily.
­ They show no clear trend in reactivity.
­ Do not react with cold water.
­ Most of them react with steam forming their oxides and hydrogen
Fe(s) + H2O(g) FeO(s) + H2(g)

Iron

­ Have more than one Valency. The Roman numeral tells its Valency.
­ Form coloured compounds.
• Used as catalysts:
Ex. Fe in making ammonia by Haber process.
V2O5 in contact process which is a step in manufacture of H2SO4
Pre. IGCSE Grade (9)

Redox
Oxidation and reduction reactions always take place at the same time.

Oxidation Reduction
­ Gain of O2 ­ Loss of O2
­ Loss of H2 ­ Gain of H2
­ Loss of electrons (OIL) ­ Gain of electrons (RIG)

Reduction

CuO + H2 Cu + H2O
Oxidizing Reducing
agent agent

Oxidation

Oxidation

3H2 + N2 2NH3
Reduction

Reduction
Fe2O3 + 3CO 2Fe + 3CO2
Oxidation

Question: Detect the oxidizing and reducing agents?

2H2 + O2 2H2O

If a substance loses electrons during chemical reaction, it has been oxidized.

If it gains electrons, it has been reduced.
The reaction is a redox reaction
N.B. respiration, rusting, and burning are redox reactions
Pre. IGCSE Grade (9)

N.B. In electrolysis:
* [At anode] e– loss (oxidation) * [At cathode] e– gain (reduction)

Colour changes in redox reactions [change in Valency]:

1. Acidified potassium dichromate VI is an oxidizing agent.

Reduction
K2 Cr2O7 2Cr3+
Orange Green

2. Acidified potassium manganate VII (KMnO4) is an oxidizing agent with a purple

colour.
Reduction
Acidified potassium manganate (purple) colourless solution

If a reducing agent is present, the purple colour will fade.

3. Iodine is an oxidizing agent on changing to iodide.

I2 + 2 e­ 2 I­
Dark brown Colourless

4. All nonmetals are oxidizing agents ( gain electrons)

5. All metal ions and H+ are oxidizing agents ( gain electrons)
6. All metals are reducing agents ( lose electrons)
7. All nonmetal ions are reducing agents. ( lose electrons)

Potassium iodide is used to test for the presence of an oxidizing agent.

Oxidation
2KI (aq) I2
Colourless Dark brown (or grey black deposit)

8. From the famous reducing agents are H2, CO, SO2, C and KI. All can be used to
test for oxidizing agent.