Definition

Periodic trends are specific patterns in the properties of elements along periods and groups of the Periodic Table

→ periodic trends arise from changes in atomic structure of chemical elements within their respective periods and groups in the periodic table.


Major Periodic trends of elements → include atomic radii, ionic radius, metallic character, non-metallic character, reactivity, electronegativity.

Due to periodic trends → we can predict the unknown properties of any element.


  1. Going Across a Period, from Left to Right → as electrons are added to the same electron shell.
  • In general → size of the atom of elements become smaller (i.e. atomic radius decreases) → as number of protons in the nucleus increases.
  • In general → ease of atoms losing electrons → to form positive ions decreases but ease of atoms gaining electrons → to form negative ions increases → as number of electrons in the valence shell (same number of shells) increases.
  • There is decreases in → metallic properties + increases in non-metallic properties → i.e. elements change from metals to non-metals
  1. Going Down a Group → as total number of electrons and number of electron shells increases
  • In general → size of atom of elements becomes larger (i.e. atomic radius increases)
  • Ease of atoms → losing electrons to form positive ions increases but ease of atoms gaining electrons to form negative ions decreases.
  • There is an increase in metallic properties + decrease in non metallic properties.
    • (in some groups → elements change from non-metals to metals while in other groups, reactivity of metals increases on going down the group)
  1. Elements in the Same Group
  • Show gradual change → in physical properties on going down the group

Understanding

elements share similar chemical properties, but physical properties like boiling/melting point changes gradually as i move down the group


Note

Note: direction of arrow indicates increasing trend


Extension of Learning