Grade 11 → Classification of elements and periodicity in properties → Periodic trends in properties ↓
Metallic and Non-Metallic Properties
The periodic table of elements is an important tool in chemistry, providing a framework for understanding the trends and behaviors of different elements. A fundamental aspect of these trends is associated with the metallic and nonmetallic properties of the elements. This subject explores how and why the elements exhibit these characteristics and how they change across periods and groups.
Introduction to metallic properties
Metallic properties refer to characteristics of elements that are typically associated with metals. These properties include:
- Lustre: Metals are lustrous when cut, polished, or freshly broken.
- Malleability: Metals can be hammered or rolled into thin sheets.
- Ductility: Metals can be drawn into wires.
- Conductivity: Metals are good conductors of heat and electricity.
- Sound: Sound is produced when metals are struck.
The metallic character of an element depends on its ability to lose electrons to form positive ions, called cations. It is characteristic of elements with fewer valence electrons and lower ionization energy.
Introduction to nonmetallic properties
Non-metallic properties, on the other hand, are associated with elements that are generally classified as non-metals. These properties include:
- Poor Conductivity: Nonmetals are generally poor conductors of heat and electricity.
- High Ionization Energy: Nonmetals have high ionization energy as compared to metals.
- High electronegativities: Nonmetals have a high ability to attract electrons towards themselves.
- Brittleness: Nonmetals are brittle in the solid form.
The nonmetallic property is associated with the ability of an element to gain electrons and form negative ions, called anions. This is typical for elements with more valence electrons and higher ionization energy.
Periodic trends in metallic and non-metallic properties
Trends over a period
As we move along a period from left to right in the Periodic Table, there are several changes in the properties of elements:
- The metallic character decreases.
- Non-metallic properties increase.
This can be explained by the following trends over a period:
- Decrease in atomic radius: As we move across a period, protons and electrons get added which increases the nuclear charge. However, the increase in nuclear charge pulls the electrons closer to the nucleus, which decreases the atomic radius.
- Increase in ionization energy: With smaller atomic radius, the attraction between the nucleus and the outer electrons is stronger, making it harder to remove an electron. Thus, the ionization energy increases.
- Increase in electronegativities: Due to increase in nuclear charge, the ability of the atom to attract electrons increases, thereby increasing electronegativities.
As a result, elements located on the left side of the period (e.g., alkali and alkaline earth metals) are generally metallic, whereas elements located on the right side of the period (e.g., halogens and noble gases) are nonmetallic.
Downward trend in the group
While going down a group in the periodic table, the elements show the following trends:
- Metallic properties increase.
- The non-metallic character decreases.
There may be the following reasons for this:
- Increase in atomic radius: As we move down the group, new electron shells are added, which increases the atomic radius.
- Decrease in Ionization Energy: With the addition of more electron shells, the outer electrons move away from the nucleus, weakening the nuclear attraction and thus decreasing the ionization energy.
- Decreasing electronegativities: The tendency of atoms to attract electrons decreases with increase in atomic size and the distance between the nucleus and the outer electrons.
Therefore, the elements at the bottom of a group, such as the alkali metals and alkaline earth metals, are more metallic than the elements at the top.
Visual representation of trends
During a period
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The above illustration shows the general trend of decrease in metallic character and increase in non-metallic character over a period.
Group down
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The above graphic shows that metallic character increases while non-metallic character decreases as we go down the group.
Example
To make these tendencies more clear, consider the following examples:
Example 1: Group 1 elements (alkali metals)
The elements in group 1 display significant metallic properties. As you move down the group from lithium (Li) to francium (Fr), the atomic size increases, and they become more metallic. Lithium is the least metallic of the alkali metals, while francium is the most metallic.
Example 2: Group 17 elements (halogens)
Group 17 includes elements such as fluorine (F), chlorine (Cl), bromine (Br) and iodine (I), which are known for their non-metallic properties. As you go down this group, the non-metallic properties decrease due to the increase in atomic size and decrease in electronegativities. For example, fluorine is the most non-metallic, while iodine is the least.
Example 3: Transition metals
The transition metals, found in groups 3-12, display transitional characteristics between metals and nonmetals. They generally display metallic properties, although their reactivity and specific characteristics can vary widely.
Conclusion
Metallic and nonmetallic properties are essential classifications in understanding chemical behavior. They arise from intrinsic properties of atoms, such as size, electronegativities, and ionization energies. Observing and predicting these trends helps chemists predict reactivity and other chemical properties, which is important for applications ranging from industrial chemistry to materials science.
Understanding the periodic trends of metallic and non-metallic properties helps students understand deeper aspects of chemistry and predict the behavior of elements in chemical interactions.