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Chapter 3: Classification of Elements and Periodicity in Properties

1 Marks Questions

1. How many elements are known at present?

Ans: At present 114 elements are known to us.

2. Who was the first scientist to classify elements according to their properties?

Ans: In the year 1829, a German scientist named Johann Dobereiner was the first one who
classified elements according to their properties.

3. What is the basis of the triad formation of elements?

Ans: Triad formation is basically dependent upon the middle element which represents that the
atomic weight of the middle one is the half of the other two elements of the triad which are in
between these two elements and this relationship is also given by Dobereiner know as the law of
triads.

4. State the modern ‘Periodic law’?

Ans: Elements are arranged according to their physical and chemical properties and with the
increase in atomic numbers.

5. Define and state Mendeleev’s periodic law.

Ans: This law states that elements are arranged according to their atomic weight.

6. Give the general characteristics of the long form of the Modern periodic table?

Ans: General characteristics of the long form of Periodic table can be discussed as follows:

1. 18 vertical columns known as groups.

2. Their groups are numbered from left to right as 1-18.

3. Seven horizontal rows are known by the name periods.

4. The elements present in groups 1, 2 and 13-17 are called main group elements.

5. The elements present in groups 3-12 are called transition elements.

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7. In short, give the features of the seven periods.

Ans: The first period is said to be the shortest period containing only two elements hydrogen
and helium.

The second and third periods both contain 8 elements from lithium to neon in the second period
while from sodium to argon in the third period.

The fourth and fifth periods both contain 18 elements from potassium to krypton in the fourth
and rubidium to xenon in the fifth period; these are long periods.

The sixth period contains 32 elements starting from caesium and the last one is radon and is said
to be the longest period.

The seventh period is incomplete; it starts with francium having atomic number 87 and up to 93
onwards are purely synthetic in nature and are called transuranium elements.

8. Define electronic configuration.

Ans: Electronic configuration defines how electrons are distributed into orbitals of an atom.

9. What is the electronic configuration when elements are classified group-wise?

Ans: Those elements which are in the same group have the same number of valence electrons
and also show similar physical and chemical properties.

10. Predict the position of the element in the periodic table satisfying the electronic
configuration (n−1)d1ns2(n−1)d1ns2 for n=4.

Ans: Put the value of n = 4 in the general equation (n−1)d1ns2(n−1)d1ns2 i.e.

(4−1)d1ns2=3d1ns2(4−1)d1ns2=3d1ns2

3d group elements lies in fourth period and in III B group.

11. How does atomic size change in a group?

Ans: It Goes on increasing while we move down the group.

12. Why do Li and Mg show resemblance in chemical behaviour?

Ans: As these are diagonally related to each other so they show similar chemical behaviour.
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13. The atomic radius of elements decreases along the period but Neon has the highest size
among III period elements? Why?

Ans: Neon contains Vander Waal radius while all other elements contain covalent radius and
Vander wall radius have greater value as compared to covalent so we can say Neon has the
highest size.

14. Define valency.

Ans: Valency is defined as the combining capacity of an element.

15. How does valency vary in a group and period in the periodic table?

Ans: Valency remains constant in a group and increases while moving in a period from left to
right.

16. What is the valency of noble gases?

Ans: Valency acquired by noble gases is zero.

17. How do metals react in a period?

Ans: Reactivity resembles the property by which an element loses an electron while moving in a
period from left to right reactivity decreases due to a decrease in size.

18. How do metals react in a group?

Ans: Reactivity resembles the property by which an element loses an electron while moving
down a group reactivity increases due to an increase in size.

19. What is amphoteric oxide?

Ans: Oxides that can behave as acids, as well as bases, are known as amphoteric oxides.

20. Define a neutral oxide.

Ans: Neutral oxides are those oxides that have neither show acidic nor basic properties.

21. What is the general outer electronic configuration of f – block elements?

Ans: The general outer electronic configuration of f – block elements is shown in this way
(n−2)f1−14(n−1)d0−10ns2(n−2)f1−14(n−1)d0−10ns2.
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22. Why do Na and K have similar properties?

Ans: Na and K show similar properties as they contain the same number of valence electrons.

23. Arrange the following elements in the increasing order of metallic character: Si, Be,
Mg, Na, P.

Ans: P > Si > Be > Mg > Na

2 Marks Questions

1. How did Mendeleev arrange the elements?

Ans: Mendeleev arranged elements in the form of a table which contains horizontal rows and
vertical columns and elements are arranged in these columns and rows according to their atomic
weight in an increasing manner and arrangement is in such a way that the elements having
similar properties are in the same vertical column or group.

2. Name the two elements whose existence and properties were predicted by Mendeleev
though they did not exist then.

Ans: Gallium and Germanium are two elements whose existence as well as some physical
properties were also explained by Mendeleev though they did not exist at that time.

3. Give the main features of s-block elements.

Ans: Those elements whose last electron will enter in the s subshell which is its outermost
energy shell are called s-block elements. It contains only two elements named hydrogen and
helium. The general configuration of s-block elements is ns1−2ns1−2 as s subshell can acquire a
maximum of 2 electrons.

4. Give the main features of p-block elements.

Ans: Those elements whose last electron will enter the p subshell which is its outermost energy

shell are called p-block elements. It contains elements of groups 13-18. The general

configuration of p-block elements is ns2np1−6ns2np1−6, p subshell can contain maximum 6

electrons.
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5. Give the main features of d-block elements.

Ans: Those elements whose last electron will enter in the d subshell which is its outermost
energy shell are called d-block elements. d block elements are generally present between the s
and p block elements. It contains elements of groups 3-12. The general configuration of d-block
elements is (n−1)d1−10ns1−2(n−1)d1−10ns1−2, d subshell can contain maximum 10 electrons.

6. Give the main features of f-block elements.

Ans: Elements whose last electron will enter in the f subshell which is its outermost energy shell
are called f-block elements. The elements of f-block elements are present below the periodic
table in the form of two lines. The general configuration of f-block elements is
(n−2)f1−14(n−1)d0−1ns2, f subshell can contain maximum 14 electrons.

7. Explain why cations are smaller and anions are larger in radii than their parent atom?

Ans: The radius of cation is smaller as compare to its parent atom as we know that cation is
formed by the loss of one or more electrons from the gaseous atom during the nuclear charge of
the atom remains the same. During this process nuclear holds the remaining electrons more
tightly this can be explained due to the increase in effective nuclear charge per electron this
increase is due to a decrease in size.

Anion is formed by the gain of one or more electrons by the gaseous atom and nuclear charge
also remains the same in this case although the number of electrons goes on increasing. The
effective nuclear charge per electron decreases in the case of anion which makes the firmness of
atoms with nucleus a little low as this will increase its size.

8. Define ionization enthalpy and electron gain enthalpy.

Ans: Ionization enthalpy: It generally represents the energy that is required to remove an
electron from an isolated gaseous atom in the ground state which further gives us protons i.e.
form a positive ion. The reaction can be shown as:

X(g)+Energy→X+(g)+e−

Electron gain enthalpy: The change in enthalpy accompanying during the process is defined in
which an electron is gained by any neutral gaseous atom and it converts that atom into a negative
ion is known as electron gain enthalpy. The reaction of this can be shown as:

X(g)+e−→X−(g)
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9. How does metallic character change in a group?

Ans: While moving down the group metallic character increases.

10. The size of an atom can be expressed by three radii. Name them. Which of these given
the highest, and the lowest value of the atomic radius of an element?

Ans: The atomic size is generally expressed in terms of three main radii known as covalent
radius, metallic radius and Van der Waal’s radius. The order of these three radii will be Van der
Waal’s radius > Metallic radius > covalent radius.

11. Among the elements B, Al, C and Si

(a) Which has the highest first ionization enthalpy?

Ans: Highest first ionization enthalpy is shown by C (carbon).

(b) Which has the largest atomic radius?

Ans: Al (Aluminium) has the largest atomic radius as compared to others.

12. Na+Na+ has a higher value of ionization enthalpy than Ne, though both have the same
electronic configuration.

Ans: Na+Na+ and Ne both contains 10 electrons but the number of protons is different as in
Na+Na+ 11 protons are present which exert higher effective nuclear charge and the tendency of
removing an electron is quite difficult as compare to Ne as it has only 10 protons.

13. How does the reactivity of non–metals change in a period and group?

Ans: Reactivity generally represents the property of non-metals which measures its tendency to
gain electrons. Reactivity of non-metals increases while moving in a period due to a decrease in
size while decreases moving down the group due to an increase in size.

14. Give the properties of the oxides in a particular period.

Ans: Oxides are those elements that are capable of combining with oxygen atoms. The normal
oxide is generally formed by those elements which are on the extreme left and most basic in
nature example Na2O whereas those oxides which formed on the extreme right are of acidic
nature example Cl2O7 and the oxides which form in the middle position are of amphoteric
nature like Al2O3 or neutral in nature example CO.
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15. Why does lithium form a covalent bond, unlike another alkali which forms an ionic
bond?

Ans: Lithium forms a covalent bond which is different from other group members this type of
anomalous behaviour of Li can be explained on the basis of its small size, large charge/radius
ratio and has high electronegativity value. Orbital available for bonding of Li is given as
1s22s11s22s1.

16. The atomic number of an element is 16. Determine its position in accordance with its
electronic configuration.

Ans: Electronic configuration of an element having atomic number 16 is given by

1s22s22p63s23p4 as we can see that the last electron will enter into p subshell and said to be p
block element and placed in the third period and 16th group of the periodic table.

17. Why are elements at the extreme left and extreme right the most reactive?

Ans: The maximum chemical reactivity at the extreme left which is present among alkali metals

can be exhibited due to the loss of an electron which leads to the formation of a cation due to its

low ionization enthalpy and at the extreme right where halogens are present which is shown by

the gain of an electron forming an anion due to its high electron affinity.

18. Why does the ionization enthalpy gradually decreases in a group?

Ans: Ionization enthalpy gradually decreases while moving down a group due to an increase in
its atomic and ionic radii.

19. Why does the electronegativity value increases across a period and decreases down a
period?

Ans: Electronegativity value generally corresponds with the attraction between outer electrons
and the nucleus which increases with the decrease in atomic radius along a period and in this
case electronegativity value also increases. In a similar manner electronegativity value decreases
with the increase in atomic radii as we move down a group.
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20. How do electronegativity and non – metallic characters related to each other?

Ans: Electronegativity is directly related to the non – metallic character of elements while in the
case of metallic properties it is inversely related. Thus the increase in electronegativity’s across a
period is defined by an increase in non – metallic properties of elements and the decrease in
electronegativity by moving down a group is defined by a decrease in its non – metallic
properties of elements.

21. Describe the main features of Mendeleev’s periodic table?

Ans:

1. Mendeleev table is discovered by the scientist Mendeleev in which the elements were
arranged in vertical columns and horizontal rows. The vertical columns are called groups while
the horizontal rows are called periods.

2. Total there are eight groups in this table represented as Group I to VIII. The group numbers
were designed with Roman numerals.

3. There are seven periods which accommodate more elements and the period 4, 5, 6 and 7 are
further divided into two halves. The first half of the elements are placed in the upper left corner
and the second half in the lower right corner of each box.