Periodic Trends

 To know how the element are arraged in the periodic table

 to be able to describle the change from metallic to non-metelic character acrodd a period
 To know the general differences in properties between metals and non-metals
 To be able to discrible the realitionship between group number, number of valency electrons and
metalic/non metalic character.
Arrangment of elements in the table
The elements are arraged in order of proton number. Element with similar chemical properties are placed
in the same vertical column. This is called a group. Elements in a group have similar chemical properties,
the same iuter electron disribution and usually the same valency. Going down a group, the elements
become more metalic in character.
The horizontal eows are called periods. Moving across a period the elements change from metalic to non –
metallic. The number of valency elecrons increases across the period but the number of occupied energy
levels stays the same.

Differences between metal and non – metals

The following table of differences in properties should be taken only as a guide; there are many exceptions.
 Physical differences
Metals Non – Metals
Usually have high melting and boiling points. Melting points and boiling points are low.
Solids at room temperature. Exceptions : those non – metals with
Exceptions : Group I metals have low melting macromoleculer structures – carbo silicon,
points and mercury is a liquid. boron, germanium.
Poor conductors
Good conductors of both heat and electricity
Exception : graphite
Soft
Hard Exceptions : those non – metals with
Exceptions : Group I metals are soft macromolecular structures – carbo silicon,
boron, germanium
High densities
Low densities
Exceptions : Group I metals are soft
Malleable (can have their shape changed by
Brittle (do not change shape but break)
hammering)
Exception : graphite
Ductile (can be pulled into wires)
Sonorous (think of bell) Not sonorous
Can be polished to a lustre (shiny) Have a dull surface
 Exceptions : graphite, iodine

 Chemical differences
Chemical Property Metals Non – metals
4, 5, 6 or 7 valency electron
1, 2 or 3 valency electrons
Electron distribution and Either gain electrons to form
These are lost to form cations
bonding anios (negative ions) or
(positive ions)
share electron pairs
From covalent compound
From ionic compounds with non
with other non – metals : see
Type of compound – metals : see properties of ionic
properties of covalent
compounds in Topic 4 (p. 19)
compounds in
non – metal oxides are
Metal oxides are usually basic; a
Class of oxide usually acidic a few are
few are amphoteric: see Topic 12
neutral
Do not react with acids to
Many react with dilute acids to
Reaction with acids give a salt and hydrogen : see
give a salt and hydrogen
Topics 12 and 18