PERIODIC CLASSIFICATION OF ELEMENTS

VERY SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS [1 MARK]

1. What was the basis of classification of elements by Newland?
Answer. Increasing order of atomic mass
2. Lithium, sodium and potassium form a Dobereiner’s triad. The atomic masses of lithium
and potassium are 7 and 39 respectively. Predict the atomic mass of sodium.
Answer.

3. What were the limitations of Dobereiner’s classification ?

Answer. Dobereiner could identify only three triads from the elements known at that time. Hence,
this system of classification into triads was not found useful.
4. State one reason for placing Mg and Ca in the same group of the periodic table.
Answer. They have same number of valence electrons.
5. Name any three metalloids
Answer. Boron, Silicon and Germanium.
6. State the modern periodic law of classification of elements.
Answer. It states that “the properties of the elements are periodic functions of their atomic
numbers.”
7. Write the number of vertical columns in the modern periodic table. What are these columns
called?
Answer. There are 18 vertical columns in the modern periodic table. These vertical columns are
called groups.
8. Write the number of horizontal rows in the modern periodic table. What are these rows
called?
Answer. There are seven horizontal rows in the modern periodic table. These rows are called
periods.
9. How does atomic size vary from left to right in a period?
Answer. Atomic size decreases from left to right in a period.
10. On moving from left to right in the second period when happens to the number of valence
electrons?
Answer. Number of valence electrons increases from left to right in the second period.
11. How does reactivity of metals vary down a group?
Answer. Reactivity of metals goes on increasing down a group.
SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS [I] [2 MARKS]
12. The elements of the second period of the Periodic Table are given below:
Li Be B C N O F
(a) Give reason to explain why atomic radii decrease from Li to F.
(b) Identify the most (i) metallic and (ii)non-metallic element.
Answer.
(a) It is because nuclear charge increases due to increase in atomic number, therefore, force of
attraction between nucleus and valence electrons increases, i.e. effective nuclear charge increases,
hence atomic radii decrease from Li to F.
(b) (i) Most metallic element is ‘Li’ as it can lose electrons easily due to larger atomic size.
(ii) Most non-metallic element is ‘F’ because it can gain electrons easily due to smallest atomic
size.
13. State Mendeleev’s periodic law. Write two achievements of Mendeleev’s periodic table
Answer. Mendeleev’s Periodic Law: ‘Properties of elements are the periodic function of their
atomic masses.
Achievements:
(a) It could classify all the elements discovered at that time.
(b) It helped in discovery of new elements.
(c) It helped in correction of atomic mass of somd of the elements.
14. How can the valency of an element be determined if its electronic configuration is known?
What will be ‘ the valency of an element of atomic number 9 (nine)?
Answer. If the element has 1, 2, 3, 4 valence electrons, its valency will be 1, 2, 3, 4 respectively.
If the element has 5, 6, 7, 8 valence electrons, its valency will be 3, 2, 1, 0. Element with atomic
number 9 has electronic configuration 2, 7. So, its valency will be 1.
15. How does the electronic configuration of an atom of an element relate to its position in the
modern periodic table? Explain with one example.
Answer. The position of element depends upon number of valence electrons which depend upon
electronic configuration. Those elements which have same valence electrons, occupy same group.
Those elements which have one valence electron belong to group 1.
Elements with two valence electrons belong to group 2.
Period number is equal to number of shells.
If valence electrons are equal to 1, it belongs to group 1. If it has 2 shells, it belongs to second
period, e.g. if element ‘X’ has atomic number 11, its electronic configuration is 2, 8,1. It has one
valence electron, it belongs to group 1 and it has three shells therefore, it is in third period.
16. The atomic numbers of three elements, X, Y and Z are 9,11 and 17 respectively. Which two
of these elements will show similar chemical properties? Why?
Answer. Electronic configuration of X, Y and Z will be:
X(9) : 2, 7
Y(11) : 2, 8, 1
Z(17) : 2, 8, 7
X and Z will show similar chemical properties due to same number of valence electrons.
17. In the modern periodic table, the element Calcium (atomic number = 20) is surrounded by
elements with atomic numbers 12, 19, 21 and 38. Which of these elements has physical and
chemical properties resembling those of Calcium and why?
Answer. Elements with atomic number 12, 38 resemble calcium in physical and chemical
properties because they have same number of valence electrons and belong to same group 2.
Mg(12) : 2, 8, 2
Ca(20) : 2, 8, 8, 2
Sr(38) : 2, 8, 18, 8, 2
18. How does the metallic character of elements change along a period of the periodic table
from the left to the right and why?
Answer. The metallic character goes on decreasing along a period from left to right because
atomic size goes on decreasing therefore, tendency to lose electrons decreases.
19. How does the valency of elements vary
(a) in going down a group, and
(b) in going from left to right in a period of the periodic table?
Answer. (a) Valency remains the same in a group.
(b) Valency first goes on increasing from left to right in a period till middle of period, then
decreases.
20. In the periodic table, how does the tendency of atoms to lose electrons change on going from
(a) left to right across a period?
(b) top to bottom in a group?
Answer. (a) Tendency to lose electrons decreases from left to right across a period.
(b) Tendency to lose electrons increases from top to bottom in a group.
21. Give reasons:
(a) Elements in a group have similar chemical properties.
(b) Elements of Group I form ions with a charge of +1.
Answer. (a) Elements in a group have same number of valence electrons and same valency
therefore have similar chemical properties.
(b) It is because elements of group 1 lose one electron to acquire +1 charge and become stable.
22. An element ‘X’ has atomic number 13. Answer.
(a) Write its electronic configuration.
(b) State the group to which ‘X’ belongs.
(c) Is ‘X’ a metal or a non-metal?
(d) Write the formula of its bromide.

23. Choose from the following: 6C, 8O, 10Ne, 11Na,14 Si

(a) Elements that should be in the same period.

(b) Elements that should be in the same group.
State reason for your selection in each case.
Answer.
(a) 6C, 8O, 10Ne are in same period, Le.
2nd period as they have two shells. nNa and 14Si are in same period, i.e. 3rd period as they have
three shells.
(b)6C,14Si are in same group because they have same number of valence electrons, i.e. four.
24. An element ‘X’ belongs to 3rd period and group 17 of the periodic table. State its (a)
electronic configuration, (b) valency. Justify your answer with reasoning.
Answer.
(a) X(17) : 2, 8, 7
(b) Valency : 1
It has atomic number 17 and therefore, electronic configuration will be 2, 8, 7. It can gain one
electron to become stable therefore, its valency is equal to 1. It belongs to third period, as it has
three shells. It belongs to group 17 because it has 7 valence electrons.
25. The formula of magnesium oxide is MgO. State the formula of barium nitrate and barium
sulphate, if barium belongs to the same group as magnesium.
Answer.

26. Why do all the elements of the (a) same group have similar properties, (b) same period have
different properties?
Answer. (a) Elements of same group have similar properties due to same number of valence
electrons, therefore, they have same valency.
(b) Elements of same period have different properties as they differ in number of valence
electrons.

27. An element ‘E’ has following electronic configuration:

(a) To which group of the periodic table does element ‘E’ belong?
(b) To which period of the periodic table does element ‘E’ belong?
(c) State the number of valence electrons present in element ‘E’.
(d) State the valency of the element ‘E’.
Answer.
(a) ‘E’ belongs to group 16. (b) It belongs to 3rd period.
(c) It has 6 valence electrons. (d) Its valency is equal to 2.
 SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS[II] [3 MARKS]

28. What were the limitations of Newlands’ Law of Octaves ?

Answer. Limitations:
(i) It was found that law of octaves was applicable only upto calcium because after Ca, every
eighth element did not possess properties similar to first.
(ii) New elements discovered could not fit into the law of octaves on the basis of their properties.
(iii) Newland adjusted two elements in same slot e.g., Co and Ni which differ entirely from
halogens. Iron resembles with Co and Ni, has been placed far away from these elements.
29. The position of three elements A, B and C in the Periodic Table is shown below:

Giving reasons, explain the following:

(a) Element A is a non-metal.
(b) Element B has a larger atomic size than element C.
(c) Element C has a valency of 1
Answer. (a) ‘A’ is non-metal because it can gain electron easily as it has 7 valence electrons and
forms negative ion with stable electronic configuration.
(b) It is because ‘B’ has lesser atomic number, less nuclear charge, less force of attraction
between valence electrons and nucleus therefore, has larger atomic size.
(c) ‘C’ has 7 valence electrons. It can gain one electron to become stable. So, its valency is equal
to one.
30. The position of three elements A, B and C in the Periodic Table is shown below:
Group→ 1 2 13 14 15 16 17
Period ↓
1 B
2 A
3 C
Giving reasons, explain the following:
(a) Element A is non-metal.
(b) Atom of element C has a larger size ‘ than atom of element A.
(c) Element B has a valency of 1.
Answer. (a) It is because it has 7 valence electrons.
It can gain one electron to form negative ion. So, it is a non-metal.
(b)’C’ has more number of shells than A. So, it is larger in size.
(c)’B’ has one valence electron. It can lose one electron to become stable. So, its valency is equal
to 1.
31. What physical and chemical properties of elements were used by Mendeleev in creating his
periodic table? List two observations which posed a challenge to Mendeleev’s Periodic Law.
Answer. Atomic mass as a physical property and nature and formulae of oxide and hydride
formed, and chemical property was used by Mendeleev.
Following are the two observations which posed a challenge to Mendeleev’s Periodic Law.
(i) Increasing order of atomic weights could not be maintained while matching chemical
properties. Chemical properties do not depend upon atomic mass.
(ii) Isotopes have different atomic mass but same chemical properties.
32. Table given below shows a part of the Periodic Table.
Using this table, explain why : H He
Li Be B C N O F Ne
(a) Li and Na are considered as active metals. Na Mg Al Si P S Cl Ar
(b) Atomic size of Mg is less than that of Na.
(c) Fluorine is more reactive than Chlorine.
Answer. (a) They can lose electrons easily due to bigger size; energy required to remove electron is less.
(b) It is because of greater effective nuclear charge on Mg, i.e. more number of protons attract
more number of electrons than Na.
(c) ‘F’ can form F– more easily than Cl due to smaller atomic size. F– is more stable than Cl–.
Therefore, fluorine is more reactive than chlorine.
33. (a) Why do we classify elements?
(b) What were the two criteria used by Mendeleev in creating his Periodic Table?
(c) Why did Mendeleev leave some gaps in his Periodic Table?
(d) In Mendeleev’s Periodic Table, why was there no mention of Noble gases like Helium,
Neon and Argon?
(e) Would you place the two isotopes ‘ of chlorine, CI-35 and CI-37 in different slots because
of their different atomic masses or in the same slot because their chemical properties are the
same? Justify your answer.
Answer. (a) It is done so as to study the properties of elements conveniently.
(b) Increasing order of atomic mass and similarities in chemical properties (especially nature and
formulae of oxide and hydride formed).
(c) These gaps were left for undiscovered elements.
(d) Noble gases were not invented at that time.
(e) They will be kept at same slot as they have same chemical properties.
34. (a) What is meant by periodicity in properties of elements with reference to the periodic
table?
(b) Why do all the elements of the same group have similar properties?
(c) How will the tendency to gain electrons change as we go from left to right across a
period? Why?
Answer. (a) The repetition of same properties after definite interval is called periodicity in
properties.
(b) It is because they have same valence electrons therefore, have similar properties.
(c) Tendency to gain electrons increases from left to right in a period because atomic size goes on
decreasing and effective nuclear charge increases.
35. (a) What are ‘groups’ and ‘periods’ in the ‘periodic table’?
(b) Two elements M and N belong to group I and II respectively and are in the same period
of the periodic table. How do the following properties of M and N vary?
(i) Sizes of their atoms
(ii) Their metallic characters
(iii) Their valencies in forming oxides
(iv) Molecular formulae of their chlorides
Answer.
(a) The vertical columns in the periodic table are called ‘groups’. The horizontal rows in the
periodic table are called ‘periods’.
(b) (i) ‘M’ and ‘N’ belong to same period but group I and II. Therefore, ‘N’ will be smaller than
‘M’ as atomic size goes on decreasing from left to right.
(ii) ‘M’ is more metallic than ‘N’. Metallic character goes on decreasing from left to right as
tendency to lose electrons decreases due to decrease in atomic size.
(iii) Their valencies are 1 and 2 respectively in forming oxides. Valency goes on increasing first
and then decreases.
(iv) MCI, NCI2 are molecular formulae of their chlorides.
36. Two elements X and Y belong to group 1 and 2 respectively in the same period of periodic
table. Compare them with respect to: periodic table from the left to the right and why?
(a) the number of valence electrons in their atoms
(b) their valencies
(c) metallic character
(d) the sizes of their atom
(e) formulae of their oxides (f) formulae of their chlorides
Answer.
(a) ‘X’ has 1 valence electron, Y has 2 valence electrons.
(b) ‘X’ has valency equal to 1, V has valency equal to 2.
(c) ‘X’ is more metallic than Y.
(d) ‘X’ is bigger than Y.
(e) X2O and YO are formulae of their oxides.
(f) and YCI2 are formulae of their chlorides.
37. F, Cl and Br are the elements each having seven valence electrons. Which of these (a) has
the largest atomic radius, (b) is most reactive? Justify your answer stating reason for each.
Answer.
(a) Bromine has largest atomic radius because it has four shells: 2, 8, 18, 7.
(b) Fluorine is most reactive because it is smallest in size and can gain electron easily.

38. Na, Mg and Al are the elements having one, two and three valence electrons respectively.
Which of these elements (a) has the largest atomic radius, (b) is least reactive? Justify your
answer stating reason for each.
Answer.
(a) Na has the largest atomic radius because it has 11 protons and 11 electrons, therefore least
effective nuclear charge.
(b) Al is least reactive because it has smallest atomic size due to 13 protons and 13 electrons, it
has greater effective nuclear charge, therefore, cannot lose electrons easily, hence it is least
reactive.

39. Atoms of eight elements A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H have the same number of electronic shells
but different number of electrons in their outermost shell. It was found that elements A and
G combine to form an ionic compound. This compound is added in a small amount to
almost all vegetable dishes during cooking. Oxides of elements A and B are basic in nature
while those of E and F are acidic. The oxide of D is almost neutral. Based on the above
information answer the following questions:
(a) To which group or period of the Periodic Table do the listed elements belong?
(b) What would be the nature of compound formed by a combination of elements B and F?
(c) Which two of these elements could definitely be metals?
(d) Which one of the eight elements is most likely to be found in gaseous state at room
temperature?
(e) If the number of electrons in the outermost shell of elements C and G be 3 and 7
respectively, write the formula of the compound formed by the combination of C and G.
Answer.
(a) A and B belong to group 1 and 2 because they form basic oxides. C belongs to group 13 as it
has 3 valence electrons. D belongs to group 14 as it forms almost neutral oxide. E and F belong to
group 15 and 16 as they form acidic oxides, G belongs to group 17 as it has 7 valence electrons
and H belongs to group 18. They belong to 3rd period of the Periodic Table because AG is NaCI,
added in a small amount to almost all vegetable dishes during cooking and Na and Cl belong to
3rd period.
(b) Ionic compounds will be formed because ‘B’ is metal and ‘F’ is non-metal. ‘B’ can lose two
electrons and ‘F’ can gain two electrons.
(c) A and B are definitely metals as they form basic oxides.
(d) G and H are gaseous at room temperature.
(e) CG3 is the formula of the compound formed by combination of C and G.