Jack McMichael

The term refers to the trends and recurrence of variations in the periodic table of elements A period is a line from left to right

At A2 we are concerned mainly with the properties of elements in group 3

Elements in period 3 react differently with water We are only concerned with the reactions of Magnesium and Sodium Mg + 2H20 2Na + 2H20 Mg(OH)2 + H2 2NaOH + H2

This reaction is slow at room temperature The reaction is exothermic but reacts faster when under heat or with the water as steam Magnesium oxide and hydrogen is given off This is a redox reaction due to the changing oxidation states of the metal and hydrogen changing

Vigorous reaction The solid sodium floats to the surface, fizzing rapidly with effervescence The sold melts due to the heat given out and dissolves fully

Shown here are the changes in oxidation state of the elements in the reaction

Elements in period 3 are relatively reactive (excluding argon) The oxides of these metals can be prepared by reacting of the element directly with oxygen These reactions are all exothermic All of the reactions are redox reactions

This element will burn in air brightly A piece of ribbon is held in the flame and burns bright white The oxidation states change in the reaction
0 0 2Mg + O2 +2 -2 2MgO

When aluminium powder is heated It is then lowered into a gas jar of oxygen It burns brightly to aluminium oxide A white powder is formed

Burns bright yellow in air Formation of sodium oxide, a white powder

0 2Na + 0 1/2O 2 +1 -1 Na2O

Both must be heated for reaction to occur Silicon dioxide and P4O10 are formed
0 0 +5 -2 4P + 5O2 P4O10 0 0 +4 2
Si + O2 SiO2

Sulphur is heated in a jar with oxygen Burns with a blue burn Forms colourless gas (SO2) As with the other reactions with oxygen, the oxidation states of metal is increased and the oxidation state of the oxygen is reduced

Sodium, Magnesium and Aluminium all form oxides Characteristic of ionic bonding Aluminium displays properties of covalent bonding Non metals also form oxides The determination of which type of bond

This group includes Silicon, Phosphorous and Sulphur

The giant covalent structure of silicon dioxide is extended by oxygen as the structures are shown below.

Phosphorous as an oxide (P4O10) is a large covalently bonded molecule Due to the strength of these bonds there is a high melting point This is a solid compound

3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 Melting Point

Column2
Column1

0
Na2O MgO Al2O3 SiO2 P4O10 SO3

Sodium and Magnesium oxides are basic They reach with water to give sodium hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide respectively Aluminium and Silicon oxides do not react with water because they are insoluble

MgO + H2O Na2O + H2O

Mg(OH)2 2NaOH

The general trend for period 3 of the periodic table of elements is shown below

More Alkali

More Acidic

These oxides react with acids to give salt and water only as their products
Na2O + H2SO4 Na2SO4 + H2O

This metal oxide is said to be amphoteric

It will react with both hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide producing aluminium chloride and sodium aluminate

Silicon dioxide will react as a weak acid with a strong base added
SiO2 + 2NaOH Na2SiO3 + H2O

Phosphorous oxide becomes phosphoric acid when added to water so it will react with a base
3NaOH + H3PO4 Na3PO4 + 3H2O

Add sodium hydroxide to the solution containing sulphur dioxide Here is the final step in the reaction
SO2 + 2NaOH Na2SO3 + H2O