Chemical Periodicity

ABSTRACT
When elements are arranged in the order of increasing atomic number, their physical and chemical properties
recur periodically. This periodicity stems from the valence electronic configurations of the elements. This
arrangement of the elements on the order of increasing atomic number with the elements having similar
properties placed in vertical columns is known as the periodic table. (1)

INTRODUCTION
Chemical Periodicity emphasizes chemical principles and structures, with very few calculations.
You will be studying the similar and not-so-similar chemical behavior of groups of elements
arranged according to the Periodic Table. The concept of electronegativity will enable you to
distinguish between the two principal kinds of chemical bonds ionic and covalent. You will
learn how to draw Lewis diagrams to show the structure of covalent molecules, and how to use
the VSEPR theory to predict the shapes of molecules. Finally, you will learn the systematic
ways of naming various sorts of compounds.(2)
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The small amount of elements Li2CO3, Na2CO3, K2CO3, MgCO3, CaCO3and BaCO3 were placed in
different test tubes. After identifying their physical state, color and appearance of each, its solubility were
then tested using 10 mL of water. Samples of Group IVA elements C, Sn, Si and Pb were placed in
different test tubes. Their physical states, color and appearance were then observed and identified.
Samples of MgO and CaO were placed in different test tubes. After adding 10 mL of H2O to each sample,
their pH level were tested on litmus paper. A balanced equation of the reaction between the oxides
and water that occurred were written afterwards.(3)
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Elements in Group IA, Group IIA, and Group IVA and some metal oxides of Group IIA are observed based
on their similarities and differences form one another. On the Table 1, 2 and 3 shows the results of the
experiment. On the Table 1, it contains the Group IA and Group IIA elements, by the given elements such
as Li2CO3(Lithium Carbonate), Na2CO3(Sodium Carbonate), K2CO3(Potassium Carbonate),
MgCO3(Magnesium Carbonate), CaCO3(Calcium Carbonate) and BaCO3(Barium Carbonate) they are
being observe by their physical state color and appearance. The Physical state of all given elements are
all solid and their color are all the same color white. But these six elements are different from one to
another according to the appearances and their solubility in water, this results shows that the similarities
of this elements are based on their properties within groups that are due to chemical periodicity which
stems from the valence electrons of atoms, while their differences are from the uniqueness of their atomic
structure.(3)

1. Group IA and Group IIA Elements

Compound
Physical State

Color

Appearance

Li2CO3
Na2CO3
K2CO3
MgCO3
CaCO3
BaCO3

White
White
White
White
White
White

Granular
Fine
Granular
Fine
Fine
Granular

Solid
Solid
Solid
Solid
Solid
Solid

Solubility in
water
Not soluble
Soluble
Soluble
Not soluble
Not soluble
Not soluble

On Table 2, some group A elements were observed. All Carbon (C), Sn (Tin), Si (Silicon) and Pb(Lead)
are solid, and only their color and appearance varied. According to Chemical Periodicity, metallic
properties of the elements decrease from left to right across a period and increase from top to bottom
within a group. And their similarities are based on the same number of valence electrons account while
their differences are based on their variations in atomic structure.

2. Some group IVA Elements

Sample
Physical State
C
Solid
Sn
Solid
Si
Solid
Pb
Solid
3. Some groups IIA Metal Oxides
Compound
Solubility in water
MgO
CaO

Not Soluble
Not Soluble

Color
Black
Silver
White
Grey

Appearance
Fine
Granular
Fine
Granular

Reactions to Blue
Litmus Paper
Stays the same
Stays the same

Reactions to Red
Litmus paper
Turns to Blue
Turns to Blue

MgO + H2O Mg(OH)2

CaO + H2O Ca (OH)2
While for the reaction of each Metal Oxide with water produces a metal hydroxides which is Mg(OH) and
Ca (OH)2. Elements located in the same group exhibit similar chemical properties because of the same
number of valence electrons, because the number of valence electrons largely determines thechemical
behavior of the elements.
REFERENCES
(1) http://www.termpaperwarehouse.com/essay-on/Chemical-Periodicity/102936

(2) http://www.cengage.com/resource_uploads/downloads/0030331889_1596.pdf
(3) http://www.scribd.com/doc/35877577/Chemical-Periodicity