Name: Aniez Jezzmin Binti Zainol

Matric number: MS2117119938

Class: M1T4

Lecturer’s name: Nordina binti Zainul Abidin

Introduction
Periodic table has about 118 elements known to this day. Most of these elements were
discovered by scientists during the 18th and 19th centuries. Elements in the periodic
table arranged horizontally in ascending order according to proton number. The table
consists of vertical columns known as a group. It also has horizontal rows generally
known as periods. Thus, properties of the elements and compounds are easier to
analyse as well as the position of the elements.

𝐴𝐴
𝑍𝑍𝑋𝑋 A: Atomic mass
Z: Proton number
X: Symbol of the element

Na Mg F
Both are in Group
17(Halogens)
Cl
Both are in Period 3

O F
All are in the same
block which is block P.
Cl

Five elements have been chosen which are sodium, magnesium,

fluorine, chlorine and oxygen.

Physical properties:
Sodium
-The melting point of sodium is 97.974℃
-The boiling point is 882.940℃
-Density is 0.968 𝑔𝑔/𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐3 (0.927𝑔𝑔/𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐3 when liquid)

Magnesium
-It is a shiny, silver or grey coloured metal
-It is light in weight but strong
-It has high density of 1.738𝑔𝑔/𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐3
-It has a boiling point of 1091℃
-It has a melting point of 650 ℃
 Fluorine and Chlorine
Both fluorine and chlorine have low melting points and boiling points and they are held
together by weak Van der Waals force. Thus, only a small amount of heat energy is required
to overcome the force that holds them together. Other than that, both fluorine and chlorine
have low density. Besides that, they do not conduct electricity and they are weak conductors
of heat.

Fluorine, Chlorine and Oxygen

Each fluorine chlorine and oxygen has a different outermost shell configuration. All of them
are in block P.

Fluorine: 1𝑠𝑠 2 2𝑠𝑠 2 2𝑝𝑝5

Chlorine: 1𝑠𝑠 2 2𝑠𝑠 2 2𝑝𝑝6 3𝑠𝑠 2 3𝑝𝑝5
Oxygen: 1𝑠𝑠 2 2𝑠𝑠 2 2𝑝𝑝4

Reason: I choose these elements (sodium, magnesium, fluorine, chlorine

and oxygen) because they are easier to analyse and understand. Besides,
I have consulted with my lecturer about the elements.

3.1 Elements in group

ELECTRONIC CONFIGURATION
F
Group 17 Fluorine: 1𝑠𝑠 2 2𝑠𝑠 2 2𝑝𝑝5
(Halogens)
Chlorine: 1𝑠𝑠 2 2𝑠𝑠 2 2𝑝𝑝6 3𝑠𝑠 2 3𝑝𝑝5
Cl

Both fluorine and chlorine are located in the same group because they have the same number
of valence electrons or outer electrons. They have 7 valence electrons in the outermost shell.
They are in the same block because its outermost shell is in S and P orbitals. They have a
configuration of 𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 2 𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛1 to 𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 2 𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛6 .

Similarities
-Both fluorine and chlorine have the same number of valence electrons occupied in the
outermost shell.
-Both fluorine and chlorine exist as diatomic molecules.
Differences

Fluorine Chlorine
It is a pale-yellow gas. It is a greenish yellow gas.
It has a weight of 18.9984032 It has a weight of 35.453
It has a melting point of −219.6℃ It has a melting point of −101.5℃
It has a boiling point of −188.12℃ It has a boiling point of −34.04℃

3.2 Elements in period

O F Oxygen: 1𝑠𝑠 2 2𝑠𝑠 2 2𝑝𝑝4

Fluorine: 1𝑠𝑠 2 2𝑠𝑠 2 2𝑝𝑝5
Period 2

Both oxygen and fluorine are in the same period because its outermost shell 2s orbital is filled
first, then followed by 2p orbitals. In other words, they have the same number of shells
occupied with electrons.

Both oxygen and fluorine are in the same block because their outermost shell is in s and p
orbitals. Their configuration is 1𝑠𝑠 2 2𝑠𝑠 2 2𝑝𝑝4 and 1𝑠𝑠 2 2𝑠𝑠 2 2𝑝𝑝5 respectively. Elements gain
electrons and protons as they move across the period, thus making them less metallic. The
periodic repetition of identical qualities as the atomic number increases is reflected in this
arrangement.

Similarities

-Both oxygen and fluorine are located in block p because their outermost shell is s and p
orbitals.

-Both oxygen and fluorine are in the same period because they have the same number of
electron shells.

Differences

Oxygen Fluorine
It has an atomic mass of 15.9994 It has an atomic mass of 18.9984032
It has a melting point of −218.3℃ It has a melting point of −219.6℃
It has a boiling point of −182.9℃ It has a boiling point of −188.12℃
3.3 Atomic radius

What is atomic radius?

Atomic radius is half the distance between the nuclei of two closest and identical
atoms.

Factors affecting atomic radius

Effective nuclear charge,

Screening/ Shielding effect
𝑍𝑍𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒

Screening effect is caused by the

The effective nuclear charge, 𝑍𝑍𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 The mutual repulsion between the inner
effective nuclear charge, Zeffis the shell electrons and the outer shell
“positive charge” felt by an electron. electrons.
 Sodium and Magnesium

Electronic configuration

Sodium: 1𝑠𝑠 2 2𝑠𝑠 2 2𝑝𝑝6 3𝑠𝑠1

Magnesium: 1𝑠𝑠 2 2𝑠𝑠 2 2𝑝𝑝6 3𝑠𝑠 2

Proton number increases moving from sodium to magnesium. As proton number

increases, the effective nuclear charge increases at the same time. The stronger the effective
nuclear charge, valence electrons are attracted close to the nucleus of the atom. Therefore,
the attraction force between nucleus and electron increases. The stronger the attraction, the
smaller the atomic radius. Hence, atomic radius decreases from sodium to magnesium. To
encapsulate, atomic radius decreases moving across the period from left to right. The factor
affecting atomic radius of sodium and magnesium is effective nuclear charge.

Fluorine and Chlorine

ELECTRONIC CONFIGURATION

Fluorine: 1𝑠𝑠 2 2𝑠𝑠 2 2𝑝𝑝5

Chlorine: 1𝑠𝑠 2 2𝑠𝑠 2 2𝑝𝑝6 3𝑠𝑠 2 3𝑝𝑝5

Principal quantum number, n of valence electrons increases from fluorine to

chlorine. As the principal quantum number increases, repulsion between inner electrons and
outer electrons increase. Thus, the shielding effect also increases. Attraction force between
nucleus and electrons decreases at the same time. As a result, electrons move further away
from the nucleus of the atom. As it moves away and expands, its atomic radius increases and
its size also increases. In other words, atomic radius increases from fluorine to chlorine as it
is going down the group. In this scenario, effective nuclear charge is constant.

Atomic radius’s analogy

Effective nuclear charge, 𝒁𝒁𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆

Proton number is like money. The more money you have, the more power (𝑍𝑍𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 ) you hold in
your clutch. Power can influence those around you and it will attract more people (electrons).
People will approach you and become acquainted with you. However, these people are not
considered as true friends because they are only using you for power and money. Thus, you
do not have many true friends in your life and your social circles (atomic radius) becomes
small.
Shielding effect

We can consider electrons as negative people. People who are very pessimistic and
constantly judge others and bring them down. Nucleus on the other hand is like happiness. If
you have a lot of negative people (electrons) in your life, it is much harder for you to reach
happiness(nucleus) and become happy. These negative people are basically preventing
(shielding effect) you from reaching your one true goal, that is to be happy and content in your
life. Thus, the more negative people you are associated with, the further (atomic radius
increases) you are from reaching happiness.

3.4 Ionic radius

Electronic configuration

Sodium: 1𝑠𝑠 2 2𝑠𝑠 2 2𝑝𝑝6 3𝑠𝑠1

Chlorine: 1𝑠𝑠 2 2𝑠𝑠 2 2𝑝𝑝6 3𝑠𝑠 2 3𝑝𝑝5

Sodium

Sodium ion is a positively charged ion, so it is a cation. Sodium ion is smaller than its neutral
atom, sodium atom. Sodium atom, Na has an electronic configuration of 1𝑠𝑠 2 2𝑠𝑠 2 2𝑝𝑝6 3𝑠𝑠1 and
since it is in s orbital, it will donate one electron to form sodium ion, 𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁+ . When one electron
is removed from sodium atom, the repulsion between electron decreases. At the same time,
the attraction force between nucleus and electron increases. Therefore, electrons are pulled
closer towards the nucleus by a force and its ionic radius decreases. Thus, sodium ion is
smaller than sodium atom.

Chlorine

Chloride ion is a negatively charged ion, so it is an anion. Chloride ion, 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 − is larger than its
neutral atom, chlorine. The electronic configuration of chlorine atom is 1𝑠𝑠 2 2𝑠𝑠 2 2𝑝𝑝6 3𝑠𝑠 2 3𝑝𝑝5 and
it is in p orbital, it has seven valence electrons. Hence it needs one more electron to achieve
octet stability. In order to achieve that, chlorine atom will accept one electron to form chloride
ion. When one electron is added into the chlorine atom, the repulsion between electrons
increases. At the same time, the nucleus-electron attraction decreases. As a result, electrons
move further away from the nucleus and it will expand. As it expands, the ionic radius also
increases. Thus, chloride ion is larger than chlorine atom.
Comparison between cation and anion

Sodium ion, 𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁+ Chloride ion, 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 −

Sodium ion has less electrons. Chloride ion has more electrons.

Repulsion between electrons decrease. Repulsion between electrons increases.

Nucleus-electron attraction increases. Nucleus-attraction decreases.

Ionic radius decreases. Ionic radius increases.

Conclusion: Cation < Anion

Analogy of ionic radius

Cation
Eg: Sodium ion

The sun is the nucleus of the atom while the planets orbiting the sun are considered as
electrons. If one planet (electron) is removed from the orbit, the radius of the solar system will
decrease. As the radius decreases, planets are more exposed to the blazing heat radiating
from the sun since it is closer to the sun now. Metaphorically speaking, the heat from the sun
is like nucleus-electron attraction. The nucleus-electron attraction increases, pulling the
electrons closer to the nucleus thus its ionic radius decreases. Hence, cation is smaller
compared to its neutral atom.
Anion
Eg: Chloride ion

When one planet (electron) is added into the orbit, the distance between the sun and the
planets increases. As a result, planets are less exposed to the heat and become colder. As
previously stated above, the heat is like nucleus-electron attraction. Thus, nucleus-electron
attraction decreases and its ionic radius increases. Hence, anion is larger compared to its
neutral atom.

3.5 Ionisation energy

Chlorine

The graph above indicates that it removes the first eight electrons
of Chlorine. It can be seen that the graph increases smoothly from 1st
electron to 7th electron. The graph increases drastically at 8th electron
because it removes electron from inner shell. There are two energy levels
in Chlorine from this graph. From the graph, there are 7 valence electrons
in the graph and the 8th electron is the inner electron. Since it has 7
valence electrons, the atom is in group 17. As we all know, group 17 is in
orbital P. Thus, the electronic configuration of the atom in the graph is
1𝑠𝑠 2 2𝑠𝑠 2 2𝑝𝑝6 3𝑠𝑠 2 3𝑝𝑝5 .
 Analogy for ionisation energy
Ionisation energy is like when a child receives a gift such as teddy bear for their
birthday. The child will cling onto the teddy bear as though the teddy bear will escape
and leave them. They clutch and grip the teddy bear so tight that it will take a lot of
energy for someone to take away the teddy bear from the child. The child in this
situation is nucleus and the teddy bear is the electrons. When the electrons are closer
to the nucleus, the higher the ionisation energy needed to break the force that holds
them together. Thus, it is harder to remove electrons.
3.6 Electronegativity

What is electronegativity?
Electronegativity is a chemical property that describes the tendency of an atom to
attract electrons (or electron density) of covalent bond towards itself.

Electronegativity of Fluorine and Chlorine

Both fluorine and chlorine are in the same group which is group 17. Going down the
table from fluorine to chlorine, chlorine has a lower electronegativity compared to
fluorine. This is because the energy level of chlorine is higher compared to fluorine and
its number of electrons is higher than that of fluorine. The higher the number of
electrons, the stronger the shielding effect. The repulsion between electron increases
and the nucleus-electron attraction decreases. Thus, the atomic size increases
causing it to have a smaller tendency to attract electrons. Hence, its electronegativity
decreases and it is lower than fluorine. Fluorine on the other has a higher tendency to
attract electrons due to its smaller atomic radius.

Electronegativity of Oxygen and Fluorine

Both oxygen and fluorine are in period 2. Going across the period from oxygen to
fluorine, the electronegativity of fluorine is higher than that of oxygen because fluorine
has higher proton number compared to oxygen. When proton number increases, the
effective nuclear charge also increases. Valence electrons are pulled closer to the
nucleus. As a result, the attraction force between nucleus and electrons increases. As
the force increases, atomic radius decreases and its atomic size decreases. Thus, it
has a higher tendency of attracting electrons and its electronegativity increases.
Oxygen on the other hand has a lower electronegativity due to its larger atomic size.
Analogy for electronegativity

Electronegativity is like a rope attached to an object. Rope attached to an object has

tension. The shorter the distance between the rope and the object, the higher the
tension of the rope. To conclude, the tension of the rope can be considered as
electronegativity. Thus, the smaller the atomic radius of the atom, the higher the
electronegativity and it has a higher ability to attract electrons to itself.

Application

Sodium
Sodium is a component of sodium chloride (NaCl) and it is commonly found in salt. It
is also a component that can be found all over the living environment. Other
applications include improving the structure of certain alloys, using it in soap,
combining it with fatty acids, using it in sodium vapour lamps, descaling metals, and
purifying molten metals. Other than that, you'll need solid sodium carbonate to
manufacture glass.

Magnesium
Magnesium is utilised in products like vehicle seats, luggage, laptops, cameras, and
power tools that benefit from being lightweight. It's also used to eliminate sulphur from
molten iron and steel. Magnesium is utilised in flares, fireworks, and sparklers because
it ignites easily in air and burns brightly.

Fluorine
In air conditioners and freezers, chlorofluorocarbons are widely used. Besides that,
fluorides are also commonly found in toothpaste because fluorides can prevent tooth
decay. They are also a major component in modern pharmaceuticals such as
cholesterol-reducer atorvastatin. Fluorine is also used in radiology such as positron
emission tomography scanning. For instance, it is commonly found in PET radioactive
tracers.

Chlorine
About 15000 chlorine-containing compounds are commercially traded, including
chlorinated methane, ethane, vinyl chloride, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), aluminium
trichloride for catalysis, and magnesium, titanium, zirconium, and hafnium chlorides,
which are precursors for producing the pure form of those elements.

Oxygen
Oxygen is commonly used by living organisms to carry out respiration in their bodies
to synthesis energy. Besides that, oxygen is also frequently used in medicine to
increase oxygen levels in patient’s blood so that the patient will not die from lack of
oxygen. Emphysema, pneumonia, certain cardiac illnesses (congestive heart failure),
certain disorders that induce elevated pulmonary artery pressure, and any disease that
affects the body's ability to take up and use gaseous oxygen are all treated with oxygen
treatment.
 Theme: Atomic radius

Thoughts wander in one’s head

Be it positive or negative
Evil shall always win

My hands only clutch the empty air

As I reach for it

I delve into the void

Straying further from the light
Abyss swallowed me whole

I silently hoped that something

Or someone would pull me towards the light

I wept, I sobbed, I cried

I screamed ferociously yet nothing came

From the poem above, wandering thoughts can be interpreted as electrons. “Evil shall
always wins” means that the narrator has been clouded by negative thoughts. Thus, the
principal quantum number, n of valence electrons increases. “My hands only clutch the empty
air” can be interpreted as the shielding effect increases. As the shielding effect increases,
electrons are not able to reach the nucleus and the repulsion between electrons increase.
Hence, the narrator is unable to reach the light. The light can also be portrayed as happiness
in this context. “Straying further from the light” means that the atomic radius increases and
expands. “I silently hoped that something” and “Or someone would pull me towards the light”
these two lines can be interpreted as high effective nuclear charge pulling the electrons
towards the nucleus.

To encapsulate, as the principal quantum number, n of valence electrons increases,

the repulsion between electrons increases. At the same time, the nucleus-attraction force
gradually decreases thus screening effect increases. Valence electrons stray away from the
nucleus. Therefore, its atomic radius increases. Besides that, when proton numbers increase,
its effective nuclear charge increases thus outer electrons are attracted close to the nucleus.
As a result, its atomic radius decreases and becomes smaller.
Conclusion

Elements in group
Elements in the same group have the same number of valence electrons.

Elements in period
Elements in the same period have the same atomic orbitals.

Atomic radius
Proton number increases, effective nuclear charge increases and atomic radius
decreases. Number of valence electrons increases, shielding effect increases thus the
atomic radius increases.

Ionic radius
Cation is always smaller than anions.

Ionisation energy
It is far more difficult to remove an electron that is so near to the nucleus because the
nucleus attracts it. Because the electron is so close to the nucleus, the ionisation
energy will be larger.

Electronegativity
Atoms with a strong nucleus-outer electron attraction have a high electronegativity.
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