Short Notes on Periodic Classification of

Elements

Introduction to Periodic Classification

 Need for Classification: As the number of
elements increased, classification became
essential to study their properties systematically.
 Early Attempts:
o Dobereiner’s Triads (1817): Grouped
elements in sets of three, where the atomic
mass of the middle element was the average
of the other two.
o Newlands’ Law of Octaves (1865):
Arranged elements in increasing order of
atomic masses, stating every eighth element
had similar properties. Failed beyond calcium.

Modern Periodic Law and Table

 Modern Periodic Law: Properties of elements are
periodic functions of their atomic numbers
(Moseley, 1913).
 Periodic Table:
o Arranged in 18 groups (vertical) and 7
periods (horizontal).
o Groups indicate valence electrons, and
periods indicate shells.
Classification of Elements
1. Metals: Located on the left; exhibit properties like
malleability, ductility, and good conductivity.
 2. Non-Metals: Located on the right; show
brittleness, poor conductivity.
3. Metalloids: Elements like B, Si, Ge that exhibit
properties of both metals and non-metals.
4. Noble Gases: Group 18, inert due to stable octet
configuration.

Classification Based on Blocks

1. s-Block Elements:
 Groups 1 (alkali metals) and 2 (alkaline earth
metals).
 Characteristics:
o Highly reactive metals.
o Low ionization enthalpy.
o Form basic oxides.
 Examples: Li, Na (Group 1); Be, Mg (Group 2).
2. p-Block Elements:
 Groups 13 to 18.
 Characteristics:
o Contains metals, non-metals, and metalloids.
o High electronegativity and ionization enthalpy
(non-metals).
o Forms acidic oxides.
 Examples: B, Al (Group 13); C, Si (Group 14); N, O,
F (Group 15-17).
3. d-Block Elements (Transition Metals):
 Groups 3 to 12.
  Characteristics:
o Exhibit variable oxidation states.
o Form colored compounds.
o High melting and boiling points.
 Examples: Fe, Cu, Zn.
4. f-Block Elements (Inner Transition Metals):
 Lanthanides and Actinides.
 Characteristics:
o Lanthanides: Show +3 oxidation state; high
reactivity.
o Actinides: Radioactive; show a variety of
oxidation states.
 Examples: La, Ce (Lanthanides); U, Th (Actinides).

Periodic Trends in Properties

1. Atomic Radius
 Definition: Distance between the nucleus and the
outermost electron.
 Types:
o Covalent Radius: Half the distance between
nuclei of two covalently bonded atoms.
o Metallic Radius: Half the distance between
nuclei of adjacent atoms in a metallic lattice.
o Van der Waals Radius: Distance between
nuclei of two non-bonded atoms.
 o Ionic Radius: Radius of ions; depends on the
number of electrons and effective nuclear
charge.
 Trends:
o Across a Period: Decreases due to increasing
nuclear charge.
o Down a Group: Increases due to the addition
of new shells.
 Exceptions:
o Period 2: Be < B due to shielding effects.
o Period 3: Mg < Al for similar reasons.
2. Ionization Enthalpy
 Definition: Energy required to remove the
outermost electron from a gaseous atom.
 Trends:
o Across a Period: Increases due to increased
nuclear charge.
o Down a Group: Decreases due to increased
atomic size and shielding effect.
 Exceptions:
o Be > B (filled s-orbital stability).
o N > O (half-filled p-orbital stability).
3. Shielding Effect
 Definition: Reduction in nuclear attraction on
valence electrons due to inner shell electrons.
 Trends:
 o Across a Period: Decreases as electrons are
added to the same shell.
o Down a Group: Increases due to more inner
shells.
4. Electron Affinity
 Definition: Energy released when an atom
accepts an electron.
 Trends:
o Across a Period: Increases.
o Down a Group: Decreases.
 Exceptions:
o Cl > F due to smaller size of F causing electron
repulsion.
5. Electronegativity
 Definition: Tendency of an atom to attract a
bonding pair of electrons.
 Trends:
o Across a Period: Increases.
o Down a Group: Decreases.
6. Isoelectronic Species
 Definition: Species with the same number of
electrons but different nuclear charges.
 Order of Radii: Higher nuclear charge leads to
smaller radii.
 Example: O²⁻ > F⁻ > Ne > Na⁺ > Mg²⁺ > Al³⁺.
7. Metallic and Non-Metallic Character
  Metallic Character: Decreases across a period,
increases down a group.
 Non-Metallic Character: Increases across a
period, decreases down a group.
8. Variations of Properties in Blocks
 s-Block: Atomic size increases down the group;
reactivity increases.
 p-Block: Atomic size increases down the group;
electronegativity decreases.
 d-Block: Atomic size shows minimal variation;
ionization energy increases slightly.
 f-Block: Lanthanide contraction affects properties;
ionic radii decrease across the series.

Special Trends
1. Diagonal Relationships: Elements in adjacent
groups and periods (e.g., Li and Mg, Be and Al)
show similarities due to comparable sizes and
charge densities.
2. Anomalous Properties of the First Element:
First elements like Li, Be, and B often deviate due
to smaller size, high ionization enthalpy, and
absence of d-orbitals.
3. Lanthanide Contraction: Steady decrease in
atomic and ionic radii across the lanthanide series
due to poor shielding by f-orbitals.
4. Inert Pair Effect: Heavier p-block elements
exhibit stability in oxidation states two units lower
than the group valency due to reluctance of s-
electrons to participate in bonding.
Ranking and Key Exceptions
Ionization Enthalpy Ranking (Selected Elements):
1. He > Ne > F > O > N > C > B > Be > Li (Period 2)
2. Ar > Cl > S > P > Si > Al > Mg > Na (Period 3)
Key Exceptions:
 Be > B: Filled s-orbital stability.
 N > O: Half-filled p-orbital stability.
 Mg > Al: Filled s-orbital in Mg.
 P > S: Half-filled p-orbital in P.

Significance of the Periodic Table

1. Predicts Properties: Helps predict properties of
elements and compounds.
2. Trends Explanation: Explains chemical reactivity
and bonding trends.
3. Basis for Discoveries: Guided discovery of new
elements and their placement.

JEE Tips and Tricks

1. Memorize key trends such as atomic radius,
ionization enthalpy, and electronegativity.
2. Focus on exceptions in periodic trends (e.g., Be >
B, N > O).
3. Practice periodic table questions and visualize
trends using diagrams.
 4. Understand periodic anomalies like lanthanide
contraction and diagonal relationships.

Previous Year JEE Questions on Periodic

Classification
1. Arrange the following in increasing atomic radius:
Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs. (JEE 2020)
2. Why is the ionization enthalpy of Be higher than B?
Explain. (JEE 2019)
3. Identify the element with the highest electron
affinity: O, F, Cl, Br, I. (JEE 2018)
4. Discuss the trend in electronegativity across Period
3. (JEE 2017)
5. Why do noble gases have the highest ionization
enthalpy in their respective periods? (JEE 2016)
6. Explain the diagonal relationship between Li and
Mg. (JEE 2015)
7. Which of the following has the smallest size: Al³⁺,
Mg²⁺, Na⁺? Justify. (JEE 2014)
8. Why does the reactivity of alkali metals increase
down the group? (JEE 2013)
9. Compare the ionization enthalpies of N, O, and F.
Explain anomalies. (JEE 2012)
10. Write the electronic configuration of d-block
elements and explain their variable oxidation
states. (JEE 2011)
11. Which element has the highest first ionization
energy among Period 2 elements? (JEE 2010)
12. Why is the second ionization energy of Na
much higher than the first? (JEE 2009)
13. Discuss why F has a lower electron affinity
than Cl. (JEE 2008)
14. Compare the reactivity of Group 1 and Group
17 elements. (JEE 2007)
15. Define and explain the lanthanide contraction
with examples. (JEE 2006)
16. Predict the chemical behavior of elements in
Group 13. (JEE 2005)
17. Discuss the inert pair effect with examples
from Group 15. (JEE 2004)
18. Which of the following has the highest
electronegativity: N, O, F? Why? (JEE 2003)
19. Compare the atomic radii of elements across
Period 3. (JEE 2002)
20. Write the trends in melting and boiling points
across d-block elements. (JEE 2001)
21. Why are alkali metals stored in kerosene? (JEE
2000)
22. Define electron gain enthalpy and discuss its
trends in halogens. (JEE 1999)
23. Which is more metallic: Al or Ga? Explain. (JEE
1998)
24. Explain why noble gases are monoatomic. (JEE
1997)
25. Discuss the anomalous behavior of hydrogen
in the periodic table. (JEE 1996)