Classification of

Elements and Periodicity

in Properties

Unit

Introduction
The unit deals with the periodic classification of
elements, its need and the historical aspects
leading to the development of periodic table. The
structure and application of modern periodic table
is discussed on the basis of electronic
configuration of elements. Some important atomic
properties like atomic size, ionization enthalpy,
electron gain enthalpy, electro negativity, etc are
discussed and correlated to electronic
configuration. The periodic trends in physical and
chemical porperties are discussed in the light of
atomic properties.

Teacher Text-Chemistry

Concepts &
Process skills

Process/Activity
with assessment

Learning
outcome

Grouping of elements, Group discussion on development of

periodic table on the basis of law of triads
development of periodic
and law of octaves.
table, law of triads and
Assessment
law of octaves.
Participation in discussion (Process)
Classifying
Observing

Recognises the concept

of grouping elements
based on their properties, law of triads and
law of octaves.

Mendeleevs periodic
law, modern periodic
law.
electronic
configuration
and
periodic classification
Classifying
Predicting

Group discussion on periodic law

Problem solving on periodic
classification, relationship between
electronic configuration and properties
of elements
Assessment
Participation in discussion (Process)
Problem solving (process)

Recognises the periodic law and explains

the importance of
atomic number, electronic configuration and
periodic classification.

IUPAC nomenclature
of elements with Z >100
Predicting
Using
number
relationships

Group discussion on IUPAC Lists the elements with

nomenclature
Z > 100 according to
Charting of elements wih Z>100
IUPAC nomenclature.
Assessment
Participation in discussion (Process)
Chart (Port folio)

s, p, d and f block Small group discussion

elements and their Problem solving
Assessment
characterestics.
Participation in discussion (Process)
Predicting
Solving problems (Process)
Classifying

128

Recognises s, p, d and
f block elements and
their characteristics.

Teacher Text-Chemistry

Concepts &
Process skills

Process/Activity
with assessment

Learning
outcome

Periodic trends in General discussion, data analysis,

sketching (graph) on physical and chemical
Atomic and ionic size
properties of elements
Ionisation enthalpy
Inferring
Electron gain enthalpy
Predicting
Chemical reactivity
Observing
Assessment
Classifying
Participation in discussion (Process)
Graph (Portfolio)

Identifies the periodic

trends in physical and
chemical properties of
elements.

Periodic trends in General discussion on valence, oxidation

state and anomalous behaviour of
chemical properties
second period elements
- Valence/Oxidation
Assessment
State.
- A n o m a l o u s Participation in discussion (Process)
properties of second
period elements
Observing
Inferring
Classifying

Compares
the
reacticity of elements
and explain reasons for
the
anomalous
behaviour

Chemical reactivity and General discussion on chemical

reactivity.
position of element in
Predicting the chemical formulae of
the periodic table.
compound using valence.
Inferring
Assessment
Predicting
Participation in discussion (Process)

Recognises the periodic trends, the relation

between chemical reactivity and the position
of element in the periodic table.

129

Teacher Text-Chemistry

Entry level activity

By citing the example of a library having thousands of different books, the
teacher lead the students to the importance of classification.

Discussion Points

How elements can be classified?

On which basis elements can be classified?

After the discussion, teacher can conclude the necessity of classification and
the importance of periodic table.

Content :- Law of triads and Law of octaves

Suggested Activity 3.1 - General discussion with the help of charts (1 period)
With the help of charts of groups of elements having similar physical and
chemical properties, teacher conducts a discussion on the topic - Law of
triads and Law of Octaves.
Dobereiners Triads
Element Atomic weight
Li
Na
k

7
23
39

Ca
Sr
Ba

40
88
137

Elements
Atomic
weight
Element
Atomic
Weight
Element
Ato.wgt.

Newlands Octaves
Li
Be
B
C
N
7
9
11
12
14

O
16

F
19

Na
23

Mg
24

S
32

Cl
35.5

K
39

Ca
40

Al
27

Si
29

P
31

Consolidation
Law of triads, Law of Octaves

Content :- Mendeleevs Periodic classification

Suggested Activity 3.2 - General discussion on
classification - Merits and demerits (1 period)

Mendeleevs periodic

Discussion Points

Merits of law of triads and law of Octaves.

Demerits of law of triads and law of octaves.
Discovery of new elements and need of another classification.

Through a general discussion, the works of Lother Meyer and Dmitri

Mendeleev are explained.
130

Teacher Text-Chemistry

Mendeleevs periodic table can be shown to the students. With the help of
the table, teacher asks the following questions.
What is the basis of this classification?
What are the merits and demerits?
Through these questions, students can state Mendeleevs periodic law with
the help of teacher.
Also by analysing the table shown in the classroom, the students are able to
get an idea about groups, periods, merits and demerits of Mendeleevs
periodic table.
Consolidation - Mendeleevs periodic law, merits and demerits

Suggested Activity 3.3 - General discussion on Modern Periodic table (

period)
Discussion points

demerits of Mendeleevs periodic table

need for another classification and a new periodic table.

From the discussion of the demerits of Mendeleevs periodic table and

mentioning the work of Moseley on X-ray, teacher introduces the modern
periodic law. By analysing the modern periodic table shown in the classroom,
the students answer questions like...
How many periods are there?
How many groups are there?
How many elements are present in each period
How does electronic configuration of elements influence the structure
of modern periodic table.
After the discussion, the students can explain the importance of atomic
number, electronic configuration, and periodic classification.

Consolidation
Modern periodic law.

Content :- IUPAC nomenclature of elements with Z >100

Suggested Activity 3.4 - General discussion on IUPAC Nomenclature (1 period)
General discussion using a chart on the general methods of naming (IUPAC)
elements and the teacher helps the students to name a few elements with
atomic number Z >100.

131

Teacher Text-Chemistry

Consolidation
IUPAC nomenclature of elements with atomic number Z >100.

Content :- s, p, d and f block elements and their general characterestics.

Suggested Activity 3.5 - Group discussion on different blocks (1 period)
Divide the students into 4 groups. The teacher ask them to write the general
electronic configuration of the elements given to them.
Groups 1 s block elements
Group 2
p block elements
Group 3
d block elements
Group 4
f block elements
With the help of teacher, students can divide elements into 4 blocks based
on the sub shell in which the highly energetic electron enters.

Discussion Points

Is there any similiarity between the subshell in which the last electron
enters in the case of elements of same group?
Is there any similiarity in properties of elements belonging to a
particular group of elements in which the last electron enters in the
same subshell?

After discussion, different blocks of elements are introduced.

On the basis of electronic configuration the general properties of elements
in each block can be explained. Using a periodic table, students locate
positions of elements in each block in the table.

Activity Question
Classify the following elements into s, p, d or f - block and justify your answer
Si, Na, Br, Cr, Bk, Zr, Mg, U.
Consolidation - 4 blocks of elements, their properties, and position in the
periodic table.

Content :- Periodic properties

Suggested Activity 3.6 - General discussion on atomic size ( period)
Discussion Points

132

Is there any relation between size of atom and number of shells

present?

Teacher Text-Chemistry

What happens to the atomic size as we move from top to bottom in

a group and from left to right in a period? Why does this happen?

Consolidation

Atomic size and factors affecting it.

Suggested activity 3.7 - General discussion on Ionization energy/Ionization

enthalpy ( period)
Discussion Points

Is there any relation between the size of an atom and the attractive
force exerted by the nucleus on the outermost electrons?
How the outermost electron in an atom can be removed?

After the discussion based on the above questions, the term ionisation
energy/enthalpy can be introduced along with its relation with the size of
atom and nuclear charge. Also its variation along a period and a group can
be discussed.
Consolidation - Ionisation enthalpy and its relation with the size of atom
and nuclear charge.

Suggested Activity 3.8 - General discussion on First, second, third ionisation

energy & so on (1 period)
Discussion points
Questions like
Is it true that the same amount of energy is enough to remove one
outermost electron from a neutral atom and a monopositive ion,
both in the gaseous ground state?
What about the energy required to remove the outermost electron
from a dipositive gaseous ion?
From the discussion based on the above questions, the terms first ionisation
energy, second ionisation energy, third ionisation energy etc can be
introduced. Relation between successive ionization enthalpy and electronic
configeration may be dicussed.

Activity Question -1
Elements
Atomic
Number
Ionisation
Enthalpy
(kJmol-1)

Li

Be

Ne

10

520

899

801

1086 1402 1314

1681 2080
133

Teacher Text-Chemistry

Elements
Atomic
Number
Ionisation
Enthalpy
(kJmol-1)

Li

Be

Ne

10

520

899

801

1086 1402 1314

1681 2080

Based on the above the data, draw a graph connecting the atomic number
and ionisation enthalpy. Explain the abnormalities in the graph.
Discussion based on this question leads to answer; questions like why.
Noble gases have high ionisation enthalpy?
Ionisation enthalpy of nitrogen is more than that of oxygen?
Beryllium has high ionisation enthalpy than Boron?

Activity Question - 2
Aluminium, Magnesium - compare the first ionisation energy of these
elements.
Based on this question shielding effect or screening effect can be discussed.
Also the penetration effect can be discussed here.

Activity Question - 3
Is there any relation between metallic character/Non-metallic character with
ionisation enthalpy?

Consolidation
Ionisation enthalpy and the factors influencing ionisation enthalpy.
Factors influencing the ionisation enery (Ionisation Enthapy).
i.
Atomic size
ii.
Nuclear charge
iii. Shielding effect
iv. Penetration effect
v.
Stability of the species

Content: Electron gain Enthalpy

Suggested Activity 3.9 - Group discussion on electron gain enthalpy (1 period)
Discussion points

Stability of elements having octet in the valence shell.

Tendency of atoms to attain octet by accepting electron/electrons.
Noble gases have no tendency to accept electron.

Based on the discussion, electron gain enthalpy is introduced. The general

relation between the electron gain enthalpy and the atomic number can also
134

Teacher Text-Chemistry

be discussed here. Variation of electron gain enthalpy of elements along a

period and in a group can be discussed. The negaive value of electron gain
enthalpy may be highlighted.

Activity Questions

Fluorine, chlorine - Compare the electron gain enthalpy of these

elements.
Noble gases are having positive electron gain enthalpy. Justify.

Consolidation
Electron gain enthalpy and the factors influencing the electron gain enthalpy.

Content: Electro negativity

Suggested Activity 3.10 - General discussion on electro negativity (1 period)
Discussion points

Equal sharing of bonded pair of electrons in molecules like H2, Cl2,

F2, O2, N2 etc.
Unequal sharing of electrons in molecules like HF, HCl etc.
Is there any relation between the size of an atom forming a covalent
bond and its ability to attract shared pair of electrons towards it?
Is there any relation between the nuclear charge of an atom and the
ability of an atom to attract the shared pair of electrons towards it?

Based on the above discussion the term electronegativity is introduced. Also

the variation of electronegativity along a period and down a group can be
explained using the above discussion. (Electronegativity values of elements
of some periods and some groups on Pauling scale can be shown to the
students using charts).

Consolidation
Electronegativity and the factors influencing the electronegativity.

Content :- Periodic trends in chemical properties

Suggested Activity 3.11 - General discussion on valence/oxidation state (
period)
Discussion points

Which electrons in an atom usually take part in chemical reactions?

Is there any relation between the number of electrons present in the
valence shell of an atom and the reactivity of that element?

135

Teacher Text-Chemistry

Based on the above discussion the concept of valence can be introduced.

Also, prediction of the molecular formulae of compounds using the concept
of valence can be explained with the help of valence of the elements.

Activity Question - 4
Predict the formula of the compound formed between sodium and sulphur.
Variation of valence along a period from left to right can be discussed using
a table containing molecular formula of oxide and hydrogen of elements of
period 2 & 3.

Consolidation
Valence, its variation along a period and a group, predictions of molecular
formula using the valence.

Suggested Activity 3.12 - General discussion on nomalous properties of

second period element (1 period)

Is there any similarity in properties of elements belonging to a

particular group?
Is there any difference between the properties of the first member of
each group from the rest of the members of the group?
Discussion based on the chart showing the different properties of
each group of representative elements, the deviation in the properties
of the first member of each group from the remaining members of
the group (anomalous properties) can be explained. Diagonal
relationship can also be considered during the discussion.

Based on the table of properties such as ionisation enthalpy, electro negativity,

atomic size, absence of dorbitals, the different reasons for anomalous
behaviour can be revealed.

Suggested Activity 3.13 - General discussion on Chemical reactivity and

position of an element in periodic table (1 period)
Discussion points

Variation of different properties like ionisation enthalpy, electron

gain enthalpy, etc.
Is there any relation between reactivity of elements and the various
properties like ionisation enthalpy, electron gain enthalpy, etc.?
Based on the above discussion the following conclusions can be done.
1. Elements present in the left side of the periodic table are highly
reactive because of low ionisation enthalpy value (high metallic
character).
136

Teacher Text-Chemistry

2. Elements present in the right side of the periodic table are also highly
reactive (except noble gases) because they are having high electron
gain enthalpy values (high non - metallic character).
3. The chemical reactivity of an element can best be shown by its
reactions with oxygen and halogens. For example, elements on two
extremes of a period easily combine with oxygen to form oxides.
Oxides formed by elements on the left are basic and that of elements
on the right are acidic in nature. Oxides of elements in the centre are
amphoteric or neutral.

Activity Question-5

Classify the following oxides into acidic, basic, amphoteric or neutral.

Justify.
Na2O, Cl2O7, Al2O3, K2O, CaO, NO2, SO2, As2O3

Consolidation
Chemical reactivity of an element can be correlated with its position in the
periodic table.

Repository of CE Activities
Process Assessment

General discussion
Group discussion
Completion of worksheet
Presentation of Multidata animation

Portfolio Assessment

Suggested activity log

Worksheets
Charts

Unit Assessment

Oral assessment
Preparation of text items and their indicators
Openbook assessment
Performance assessment

Unitwise TE Questions
1. Arrange the following species in the increasing order of size.
Cl-, S2-, K+, Ca2+. Justify your answer.
2. Compare the sizes of a neutral atom, its cation and its anion.

137

Teacher Text-Chemistry

3. Complete the table.

Atomic
Electronic
Number
Configuration
10

1s22s22p63s1

Group

Block

4. Predict the elements present in the following group and period.

a. 2nd group, 3rd period b. 17th group, 3rd period
5. Complete the table.
Atomic No: of
No.
IUPAC Name
Element
1

112

---------------------

175

---------------------

-------

Unbibium

6. Find the position of the following elements in the periodic table,

and then predict whether the oxides of these elements are acidic or
basic?
a. Chlorine b. Sodium c. Calcium d. Sulphur
7. Justify the following statements.
a. The first ionisation enthalpy of nitrogen is higher than that of
oxygen even though nuclear charge of nitrogen is less compared
to oxygen.
b. Noble gases are having high ionisation enthalpies.
8. Give reason
a.
Alkali metals (group I elements) are not found free in nature.
b.
Atomic radius of gallium is less than that of aluminium.
(Z of Al = 13, Z of Ga = 31)

Classification of elements and periodicity in properties

1.

138

The name proposed for Gallium by Mendeleev was

a. Eka-aluminium

b. Eka-Zinc

c. Eka-silicon

d. Eka-germanium

Teacher Text-Chemistry

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.
8.

9.

10.

The pair of elements diagonally related is

a. Ca-Ba
b. Cu-Ni
c. C-Si
d. Be-Al
Incompletely filled orbitals in representative elements are
a. s- and db. s- and fc. s- and pd. d- and fThe increasing order of size of the following ions is
a. O2-, Na+, N3-, Mg2+
b. Mg2+, Na+, O2-, N3c. Na+, N3-, Mg2+, O2d. N3-, O2-, Na+, Mg2+
Which of the following pairs of atomic numbers represents elements
of similar chemical properties.
a. 13, 22
b. 4, 24
c. 3, 11
d. 2, 1
Which is the correct order of increasing first ionisation enthalpy of K,
Cs, Rb and Ca.
a. Rb, Cs, K, Ca
b. Cs, Rb, K, Ca
c. Ca, Cs, Rb, K
d. K, Cs, Rb, Cs
Which of the following metal forms amphoteric oxide.
a. Ca
b. Fe
c. Cu
d. Zn
Which of the following is not expressed in unit?
a. Electro negativity
b. Electron affinity
c. Ionisation potential
d. Excitation energy
The correct order of electron gain enthalpy (with negative sign) of the
given atomic species.
a. F<Cl<O<S
b. S<O<Cl<F
c. Cl<F<S<O
d. O<S<F<Cl
Which of the following is expected to be the least stable anion.
a. Lib. Bec. Bd. C-

Reference
1.
2.
3.
4.

Principles of In organic chemistry - Puri, Sharma, Pathania

Inorganic chemistry - Olmsted & Williams
Inorganic chemistry - Hubeey, Kester
Physical chemistry - Castellan, 3rd Edition

139