Periodic Trends and Atomic Properties POGIL Name:

Why?
The periodic table is periodic because there are regular and repeating
patterns with respect to the elements on the table. These periodic
trends allow one to predict products of reactions and understand how
the chemical world around us works. The periodic table is one of the
most important tools in all of chemistry. Knowing how to properly use
and interpret the table will be one of the most valuable skills you will
learn in chemistry class.

Learning Objectives:
Students will discover the relationships between position on the
Periodic table and electron configuration, atomic radius, ionization
energy, and electron affinity.

Success Criteria:
 Students will draw the electron configuration for elements
 Students will relate the concepts of atomic radius, ionization
energy, and electron affinity with position on the periodic table

Information
Atomic Radius is the distance from the nucleus of an atom to the
outermost valence electron.
Ionization Energy is the energy required to remove an electron from an
atom. The ionization energy refers to removing the first, outermost
valence electron.
Electron Affinity is the energy change that occurs when a neutral atom
gains an electron. Eletronegativity is related to electron affinity, but the
definition is different. Electronegativity is defined as the attraction an
atom has for a shared pair of electrons, or in plain English, an atom’s
desire for electrons.
Hund’s Rule states that for an atom in the ground state, the number of
unpaired electrons is the maximum possible and these unpaired
electrons have the same spin. This means that electrons do not pair up
unless they have to (meaning they would have to go up an energy
level to avoid pairing up).
Anion is a negatively charged ion. An atom becomes an anion when it
gains one or more electrons.
Cation is a positively charged ion. An atom becomes a cation when it
loses one or more electrons.
Task
Complete the orbital box diagrams below, as illustrated for carbon, to represent
the electron configuration.

1s 2s 2px 2py 2pz 1s 2s 2px 2py 2pz

H C

He N

Li O

Be F

B Ne

Model 1: Electron Ionization, Detachment, and Attachment

-
(1) X => X+ + e Electron Ionization ∆E1 > 0 (Positive
number)
-
(2) X + e => X- Electron attachment ∆E2 < 0 (Negative
number)
- -
(3) X => X + e Electron detachment ∆E3 > 0 (Positive
number)

Key Questions
1. Explain what happens to an atom in an electron ionization
reaction.

2. Explain what happens to an atom in an electron attachment

reaction.

3. Describe how reactions (2) and (3) in Model 1 are related.

4. Should the value of the energy changes for reactions (2) and (3)
be the same? Why or why not?
 5. Remember that the nucleus of an atom is positive and electrons
are negative. Explain why both electron detachment and
ionization result in positive energy changes and electron
attachment results in a negative energy change.

Model 2: Electron-Electron and Electron-Nucleus Interactions in

Atoms
Simplified Model of Helium

2 electrons in 1st shell

Simplified Model of Lithium2 protons in nucleus

1 electron in outer shell

2 electrons in 1st shell

Information
The diagrams in Model 2 illustrate the layers of 3electrons
protons in that you will
nucleus
see in multi-electron atoms. In the model of Helium, both electrons
reside in the same energy level, which is the same distance from the
nucleus. The nucleus is positively charged and the electrons are
negatively charged, which is why the electrons in a Helium atom feel
mostly love for the nucleus (Electron-Nucleus attraction).
In the model of Lithium, there are 2 different levels of electrons. The
outermost, or valence shell, is “shielded” from feeling the love
(electron-nucleus attraction) for the nucleus by the electrons in the 1st
energy level. The result is an overall feeling of hate for the electrons in
the lower level (electron-electron repulsion).
Key Questions
1. Are the following statements consistent with Model 2 and the
Information provided? If not, explain why not for each
inconsistent statement. At least one of the statements is
inconsistent.
a. In going from one atom to another, an increase in atomic
number means that the numbers of both protons and
electrons for the neutral atom must increase.
b. Additional protons tend to increase the electron-nucleus
attraction, increase the ionization energy, and make the
atom larger.
 c. Additional electrons tend to increase the electron-electron
repulsion, decrease the ionization energy, and make the
atom larger.
d. Electrons in the same shell do not shield each other from
the nuclear charge very effectively, so the attraction of the
nucleus dominates.
2. Based on Model 2 and the information provided with it, explain
why lithium would be larger than helium. How would their
ionization energies compare?

3. As the atomic number increases across a row on the periodic

table, do you expect the electron-nucleus attraction to increase
or decrease?

4. According to your answer the previous question, identify how the

following would change as you travel across a row on the
periodic table, from left to right.

a. Atomic radius
b. Ionization energy
c. Electronegativity

5. As the number of layers of electrons increases as you travel

down the columns of the periodic table, do you expect the
electron-nucleus attraction or the electron-electron repulsion to
dominate? How would that affect the ionization energy?

6. Where are the most reactive elements on the periodic table?

Does this relate to ionization energy?

Exercises
1. Explain why the ionization energy of sulfur is less than the
ionization energy of phosphorus.

2. Explain why the ionization energy of aluminum is less than the

ionization energy of magnesium.

3. For each of the following pairs, which is larger? Explain why.

a. Calcium and phosphorus

b. Nitrogen and oxygen
c. Copper and gold

4. For each of the following pairs, which has a larger ionization

energy? Explain why.
 a. Barium or cesium
b. Bromine or krypton
c. Silicon or carbon

5. For each of the following pairs, which has a larger

electronegativity? Explain why.

a. Sulfur or chlorine
b. Carbon or oxygen
c. Chlorine or bromine
d. Nitrogen or oxygen

Reflective Questions
1. List 5 things you learned about the periodic table today.

2. Describe one concept that you completely understand and one

other concept that you still don’t understand.

Group Function Reflection

1. Describe the strengths and weaknesses of your group today.