Chapter 9: PERIODIC TABLE
9.1 Physical properties of elements of Period 2 and Period 3
Candidates should be able to:
(a) interpret and explain the trend and gradation of atomic radius, melting point, boiling point,
enthalpy change of vaporisation and electrical conductivity in terms of structure and bonding;
(b) explain the factors influencing ionisation energies;
(c) explain the trend in ionisation energies across Period 2 and Period 3 and down a group;
(d) predict the electronic configuration and position of unknown elements in the Periodic
Table from successive values of ionisation energies.
Question based on syllabus 9.1(b)(c)(d)
1. (a) State all factors that affect the ionisation energy. (3M)
(b) Compare the following ionisation energies, and explain your answer. (3MX4)
(i) first i.e of B and first i.e. Be.
(ii) first and second i.e of Li.
(iii) first i.e of fluorine and chlorine.
(iv) second i.e of sodium and first i.e of Ne.
2. The successive ionisation energy (in kJ mol-1) for an element Q si given below.
1400, 2880, 4520, 7450, 9450, 53000 and 64200
(a) Explain why the successive ionisation energy increases with the number of
electrons removed. (2M)
(b) Sketch a graph or use other method to determine the position of Q in the
Periodic Table. Explain your answer. (5M)
(c) Write the general valence electronic configuration of Q. (1M)
(d) What is the formula of the anion formed by Q atom? (1M)
Answer:
1. (a) State all factors that affect the ionisation energy. (3M)
Nuclear charge (proton number, number of protons)
Screening effect (number of inner electrons)
Distance between nucleus and the electrons / size of the atom/ion
(b) Compare the following ionisation energies, and explain your answer. (3MX4)
(i) first i.e of B and first i.e. Be.
Electronic conf. of Be: 1s2 2s2, B: 1s2 2s2 2p1
Be: electron is removed from fully-filled 2s orbital, while for B, electron is
removed from 2p1.
Fully-filled 2s orbital is more stable, thus more energy is required to remove
it.
So, first IE of Be is higher / more endothermic than that of B.
(ii) first and second i.e of Li.
Electronic conf Li: 1s2 2s1
First IE of Li, electron is removed from 2s,
While 2nd IE of Li, electron is removed from 1s.
2s orbital is further away from 1s,
Thus, 2nd IE of Li is > 1st IE
(iii) first i.e of fluorine and chlorine.
Electronic conf F: 1s2 2s2 2p5, Cl: 1s2 2s2 2p6, 3s2 3p5
1st IE of F is removed from 2p, Cl is removed is removed from 3p
3p is further away from 2p,
1st IE of F > Cl
(iv) second i.e of sodium and first i.e of Ne.
Both Na+ and Ne are isoelectronic / have the same number of electrons /
both have the same electronc conf, 1s2 2s2 2p6
Both have the same screening effect, but nuclear charge of Na (11) > Ne (10)
Effective nuclear charge of Na > Ne
Second IE Na > Ne
2. The successive ionisation energy (in kJ mol-1) for an element Q si given below.
1400, 2880, 4520, 7450, 9450, 53000 and 64200
(a) Explain why the successive ionisation energy increases with the number of
electrons removed. (2M)
As the electrons being removed, the net positive charge of the ion increases.
Thus the attractive forces between the ion and electrons become stronger.
(b) Sketch a graph or use other method to determine the position of Q in the
Periodic Table. Explain your answer. (5M)
The is a large increase between 5th
and 6th IE
Indicates the 6th electron is from a
shell which is nearer to the nucleus.
Which means Q has 5 valence
electrons.
Q is located in Group 15
(c) Write the general valence electronic configuration of Q. (1M)
ns2 np3
(d) What is the formula of the anion formed by Q atom? (1M)
Q3-
