The periodic table and periodicity

Learning objectives

Deduce the period, group and block of an element from its electron configuration, and identify it as a metal, a metalloid or a non-metal from its position

Explain the trends in atomic radius, ionic radius, first ionisation energy, electron affinity and electronegativity across a period and down a group in terms of nuclear charge, shielding and the number of occupied energy levels

Compare the radius of a cation with that of its parent atom and the radius of an anion with that of its parent atom, and order an isoelectronic series by radius

Describe the trend in reactivity of the group 1 metals with water and of the group 17 halogens, write equations for halogen displacement reactions, and use them to order the halogens by oxidising strength

Classify the oxides of the period 3 elements as basic, amphoteric or acidic, write equations for their reactions with water, acid or alkali, and relate the change across the period to the metallic character of the element

(HL) Explain the variable oxidation states, the formation of coloured complex ions, the catalytic activity and the magnetic behaviour of the transition elements in terms of partly filled d orbitals, and relate the colour of a complex to the splitting of the d orbitals by the ligands