Periodic Table Trends

Front

What is the periodic table?

Back

A tabular arrangement of chemical elements, organized by increasing atomic number, electron configuration, and recurring chemical properties.

Front

What are periodic trends?

Back

Patterns in the properties of elements that can be observed in the periodic table, such as atomic radius, electronegativity, and ionization energy.

Front

What is atomic radius?

Back

The distance from the nucleus of an atom to the outermost shell of electrons, typically measured in picometers.

Front

How does atomic radius change across a period?

Back

Atomic radius decreases from left to right across a period due to increasing nuclear charge, which pulls electrons closer to the nucleus.

Front

How does atomic radius change down a group?

Back

Atomic radius increases down a group because additional electron shells are added, increasing the distance between the nucleus and the outermost electrons.

Front

What is electronegativity?

Back

A measure of the tendency of an atom to attract a bonding pair of electrons.

Front

How does electronegativity change across a period?

Back

Electronegativity increases from left to right across a period due to increasing nuclear charge.

Front

How does electronegativity change down a group?

Back

Electronegativity decreases down a group because the increased distance between the nucleus and bonding electrons reduces the nucleus's pull.

Front

What are valence electrons?

Back

Electrons in the outermost shell of an atom that are involved in forming bonds.

Front

What is the significance of valence electrons in chemical bonding?

Back

Valence electrons determine how an element will react chemically and how it will bond with other elements.