CHAPTER 3

PERIODIC TABLE

3.1 Classification of elements

LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the lesson the students should be able to :

(a) Describe period, group and block (s, p, d, f).

(b) Specify the position of metals, metalloids and
non- metals in the periodic table.
(c) Deduce the position of elements in the periodic table
from its electronic configuration.

- The elements in periodic table are arranged in ascending

order of proton number.
- The position of elements can also be determined by using
electronic configuration.
PERIOD
G
R
O
U
P

4 main BLOCK

GROUPS
- The groups in the periodic table are numbered from 1 to 18.
- Elements in the same group have the same number
of valence electrons.
Example:
Elements
Electronic
configuration
Valence electron
Group

Li (Lithium)

Al (Aluminium)

V (Vanadium)

1s2 2s1

1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p1

1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d3 4s2

Group 1

Group 13

Group 5

Group number = Number of valence electron

electron,
if the element is in block s and d
If
OR
Group number = Number of valance electron + 10
10,
if the element is in block p
If

Dmitri Mendeleev Russian Chemist worked out the 1st Periodic Table

Group 1 : Alkali metals

Group 18 : Inert/noble gases

Group 2 : Alkaline earth metals

Group 17 : Halogens

Group 3-12 : Transition metals

PERIODS
- The periods in the periodic table are numbered 1 to 7.
- Period number = Principle quantum number, n,
of the electrons in valence shell.
Example:
Elements
Electronic
configuration
Higher Principal
Quantum Number
Period

Li (Lithium)

Al (Aluminium)

V (Vanadium)

1s2 2s1

1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p1

1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d3 4s2

Period 2

Period 3

Period 4

BLOCKS
s-block
- Group 1 and 2
- Configuration of valence electron: ns1 to ns2
p-block
- Group 13 to 18
- Configuration of valence electron: ns2 np1 to ns2 np6
d-block
- Group 3 to 12 (also known as a transition elements)
- Configuration of valence electron: (n-1)d1 ns2 to (n-1)d10 ns2
f-block
- Involve elements in the series of lanthanides (Ce to Lu) and
actinides (Th to Lr).
- Configuration of valence electron: (n-1)d1 ns2 to (n-2)f14(n-1)d1 or 2
ns2

Example:
Elements

Li (Lithium)

Al (Aluminium)

V (Vanadium)

Electronic
configuration

1s2 2s1

1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p1

1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d3 4s2

Block

s-block

p-block

d-block

Among the main block (s-block and p-block),

OUTER ELECTRON = VALENCE ELECTRON

Example:
Potassium, K (Proton number, Z = 19)
Electronic configuration : 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s1
Number of valence electron = 1 (look at 4s1)
Therefore, number of outer electron = 1

KEEP IN MIND !

Do you know how to determine

the outermost electrons?
valence electron?
inner electrons?

Example for d-block:

Elements of d-block

Co (Cobalt)

Tc (Technetium)

1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d7 4s2

1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d6 5s1

Outermost electrons

2 electrons

1 electron

1 electron

Valence electrons

9 electrons

7 electrons

11 electrons

25 electrons

42 electrons

78 electrons

Electronic configuration

Inner electrons
(electrons in inner shell)

Au (Gold)
6
1s2102s2 2p
3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6
4d 5s2 5p6 4f14 5d10 6s1

SUMMARY
Blocks
s

Number of
valence
electrons

1-2 electron

3-8 electrons

3-12 electrons

3-17 electrons

Orbitals of
valence
electrons

s-orbitals

s and p-orbitals

s and d-orbitals

f-orbitals

Configuration
of valence
electrons

ns1 to ns2

ns2 np1
to
ns2 np6

(n-1)d1 ns2
to
(n-1)d10 ns2

(n-1)d1 ns2
to
1 or 2
(n-2)f14(n-1)d
2
ns

Group 1 & 2

Group 13 18

Group 3 12

Lanthanides &
Actinides

Group

Example

Na: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s1

Al: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2

3p1

11

13

Ca: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6

4s2

14

20

Si: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2

V : 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d3 4s2

or
3
2
23V : [ Ar ] 3d 4s
23

The filling of
valences electron
happens in the

THE POSITION OF METALS, METALLOIDS & NON-METALS

IN THE PERIODIC TABLE

THE POSITION OF ELEMENTS IN THE PERIODIC TABLE

FROM ITS ELECTRONIC CONFIGURATION

- The position of an element in the periodic table can be deduced

from its outermost electronic configuration.

Exercise 1:
The electronic configuration of magnesium is shown below:
Mg : 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2
Determine its position in the periodic table.

ANSWER

Exercise 2:
Identify the positions of the elements P, Q, R, S and T in the
periodic table and classify these elements.
P :

1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6

Q :

1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p5

R :

1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2

S :

1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d3 4s2

T :

1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6

ANSWER