9.1 Periodicity of Physical Properties of The Elements in Period 3

9.
1 Periodicity of physical properties of the elements in Period 3

1 describe qualitatively (and indicate the periodicity in) the variations in atomic radius, ionic
radius, melting point and electrical conductivity of the elements
2 explain the variation in melting point and electrical conductivity in terms of the structure and
bonding of the elements
Atomic radius
 The atomic radius is the distance between the nucleus and the outermost electron of
an atom
 The atomic radius is measured by taking two atoms of the same element, measuring the
distance between their nuclei and then halving this distance
 In metals this is also called the metallic radius and in non-metals, the covalent radius
Atomic radii of Period 3 elements table
 Across the period, the atomic radii decrease
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Ionic radius
 Going across the period from Na+ to Si4+ the ions get smaller due to
the increased nuclear charge but same shielding effect. So the attraction between the
outer electrons and the nucleus increases.
 The anions are bigger than their original atoms because each atom has gained one or
more electrons in the same shell. This increases the repulsion between electrons while
the nuclear charge is still the same
 Going across P3- to Cl– the ionic radii decreases as the nuclear charge increases but
shielding remain same. So increase attraction between outermost electron and the
nucleus.
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Ionic radii of ions of Period 3 elements table
Melting point
Melting points of the elements across Period 3 table
 The above trends can be explained by looking at the bonding and structure of the
elements which are summarised in the table below
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Bonding & structure of Period 3 elements table
 The table shows that Na, Mg and Al are metallic elements which form positive ions
arranged in a giant lattice in which the ions are held together by a ‘sea’ of delocalised
electrons around them:
 The electrons in the ‘sea’ of delocalised electrons are those from the valence shell of
the atoms
 Na will donate one electron into the ‘sea’ of delocalised electrons, Mg will donate two
and Al three
 As a result of this, the metallic bonding in Al is stronger than in Na
 This is because the electrostatic forces between a 3+ ion and the larger number of
negatively charged delocalised electrons are much larger compared to a 1+ ion and the
smaller number of delocalised electrons in Na
 Because of this, the melting points increase going from Na to Al
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 Si has the highest melting point due to its giant molecular structure in which each Si
atom is held to its neighbouring Si atoms by strong covalent bonds
 P, S, Cl and Ar are non-metallic elements and exist as simple molecules (P4, S8,
Cl2 and Ar as single atoms)
 The covalent bonds within the molecules are strong, however between the molecules
there are only weak instantaneous dipole-induced dipole forces
 It doesn’t take much energy to break these intermolecular forces
 Therefore, the melting points decrease going from P to Ar (note that the melting point of
S is higher than that of P as sulphur exists as larger S8 molecules compared to the
smaller P4 molecule)
Electrical conductivity
 Electrical conductivity refers to how well a substance can conduct electricity
Trends in electrical conductivity across Period 3 table
 As mentioned before, going from Na to Al, there is an increase in the number of valence
electrons that are donated to the ‘sea’ of delocalised electrons
 Because of this, there are more electrons available in Al to move around through the
structure when it conducts electricity, making Al a better electrical conductor than Na
 Due to the giant molecular structure of Si, there are no delocalised electrons that can
freely move around within the structure
 Si is therefore not a good electrical conductor and is classified as
a semimetal (metalloid)
 The lack of delocalised electrons is also why P and S cannot conduct electricity
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9.1 Periodicity of Physical Properties of The Elements in Period 3

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9.

1 Periodicity of physical properties of the elements in Period 3

Atomic radii of Period 3 elements table

 Across the period, the atomic radii decrease

Melting points of the elements across Period 3 table

 Electrical conductivity refers to how well a substance can conduct electricity

Trends in electrical conductivity across Period 3 table

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