Chemical periodicity

🔷 Periodicity of Physical Properties of Period 3 Elements (Na to Ar)

1. Atomic Radius

  • Trend: Decreases across Period 3.
  • Reason: Nuclear charge increases, electrons are added to the same shell → stronger attraction between nucleus and electrons → smaller size.

2. Ionic Radius

  • Cations (Na⁺, Mg²⁺, Al³⁺): Much smaller than parent atoms; lose electrons, fewer electron shells, increased proton-to-electron ratio.
  • Anions (P³⁻, S²⁻, Cl⁻): Larger than parent atoms; gain electrons → increased repulsion and larger radius.
  • Trend: Decreases across the cations (Na⁺ to Al³⁺); then anions (P³⁻ to Cl⁻) are larger but also decrease across the period.

3. Melting Point

  • Na, Mg, Al: High melting points due to metallic bonding (strength increases from Na to Al as charge density increases).
  • Si: Very high melting point due to giant covalent (macromolecular) structure.
  • P₄, S₈, Cl₂, Ar: Lower melting points due to simple molecular structures and weak van der Waals’ forces.
  • Trend: Increases from Na to Si → sharp decrease from P onwards.

4. Electrical Conductivity

  • Na, Mg, Al: Good conductors due to delocalised electrons.
  • Si: Poor conductor; semi-metal/semiconductor.
  • P, S, Cl, Ar: Non-conductors; no free-moving charges.
  • Trend: High for metals → drops sharply after Al.

🔷 Periodicity of Chemical Properties of Period 3 Elements

1. Reactions with Oxygen

ElementProductEquation
NaSodium oxide4Na + O₂ → 2Na₂O
MgMagnesium oxide2Mg + O₂ → 2MgO
AlAluminium oxide4Al + 3O₂ → 2Al₂O₃
PPhosphorus(V) oxideP₄ + 5O₂ → P₄O₁₀
SSulfur dioxideS + O₂ → SO₂

2. Reactions with Chlorine

ElementProductEquation
NaSodium chloride2Na + Cl₂ → 2NaCl
MgMagnesium chlorideMg + Cl₂ → MgCl₂
AlAluminium chloride2Al + 3Cl₂ → 2AlCl₃
SiSilicon tetrachlorideSi + 2Cl₂ → SiCl₄
PPhosphorus pentachloridePCl₃ + Cl₂ → PCl₅ (or P₄ + 10Cl₂ → 4PCl₅)

3. Reactions with Water

ElementReactionEquation
NaVigorous, forms alkaline solution2Na + 2H₂O → 2NaOH + H₂
MgVery slow with cold water, faster with steamMg + 2H₂O → Mg(OH)₂ + H₂ (cold)

4. Oxidation Numbers in Oxides & Chlorides

CompoundOxidation No. of Central Atom
Na₂O, NaCl+1
MgO, MgCl₂+2
Al₂O₃, AlCl₃+3
SiO₂, SiCl₄+4
P₄O₁₀, PCl₅+5
SO₂+4
SO₃+6

5. Reactions of Oxides with Water

OxideReactionpH
Na₂ONa₂O + H₂O → 2NaOH~14
MgOSlightly soluble: MgO + H₂O ⇌ Mg(OH)₂~10
Al₂O₃Insoluble; amphoteric → no simple reaction~7
SiO₂Insoluble~7
P₄O₁₀P₄O₁₀ + 6H₂O → 4H₃PO₄~2
SO₂SO₂ + H₂O → H₂SO₃~3
SO₃SO₃ + H₂O → H₂SO₄~1

6. Acid/Base Behaviour of Oxides and Hydroxides

CompoundBehaviourReaction with Acid/Base
Na₂O, NaOHStrongly basicNaOH + HCl → NaCl + H₂O
MgO, Mg(OH)₂BasicMg(OH)₂ + 2HCl → MgCl₂ + 2H₂O
Al₂O₃, Al(OH)₃AmphotericAl(OH)₃ + HCl → AlCl₃ + 3H₂O; Al(OH)₃ + NaOH → Na[Al(OH)₄]
P₄O₁₀, SO₂, SO₃AcidicSO₃ + 2NaOH → Na₂SO₄ + H₂O

7. Reactions of Chlorides with Water

ChlorideHydrolysispH
NaCl, MgCl₂No hydrolysis~7
AlCl₃Hydrolysed: Al³⁺ + 6H₂O ⇌ [Al(H₂O)₆]³⁺ → Al(OH)₃ + 3H⁺~3
SiCl₄SiCl₄ + 4H₂O → Si(OH)₄ + 4HCl~2
PCl₅PCl₅ + 4H₂O → H₃PO₄ + 5HCl~2

8. Trends and Explanations (Bonding and Electronegativity)

  • Left to right: More covalent character due to smaller size and higher electronegativity (AlCl₃ covalent, NaCl ionic).
  • Acid–base behaviour of oxides linked to:
    • Ionic oxides (basic)
    • Covalent oxides (acidic)
  • Hydrolysis occurs in covalent chlorides (e.g., AlCl₃, SiCl₄, PCl₅) → acidic solutions.

9. Types of Bonding in Oxides and Chlorides

CompoundBonding Type
Na₂O, MgOIonic
Al₂O₃Ionic with covalent character
SiO₂Giant covalent
P₄O₁₀, SO₂, SO₃Simple covalent
NaCl, MgCl₂Ionic
AlCl₃, SiCl₄, PCl₅Covalent

🔷 Chemical Periodicity of Other Elements

1. Predicting Properties of Elements

  • Based on trends in groups and periods:
    • Atomic/ionic size
    • Oxidation states
    • Reactivity
    • Acid–base nature of oxides
    • Electrical conductivity
  • E.g., Group 1: all react with water to give alkali and hydrogen.

2. Deducing Position of Unknown Elements

Given properties like:

  • Atomic radius
  • Melting/boiling point
  • Reactivity
  • Nature of oxides/chlorides
  • You can infer the group and period of an unknown element.

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