Period 3-Sodium to Argon

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:
1. Explain the variations in physical properties of the elements in terms of
structure and bonding;
2.  Describe the reactions of the elements with oxygen, chlorine and water;
3.  Explain the variation in oxidation number of the oxides and chlorides;
4. Describe the reactions of the oxides and chlorides with water;
5.  Explain the trend in the acid/base behavior of the oxides and
hydroxides;
6.  Predict the types of chemical bonding present in the chlorides and
oxides.
Variations in Physical Properties of Elements

The elements of period 3 are Sodium, Magnesium, Aluminum, Silicon, Phosphorous,

Sulfur, Chlorine and Argon. These elements have the same number of electrons in the
inner shells but the number of electrons on their outer shell increases and so these
determine the structure and bonding of the elements which in turn relate to their properties

These properties are:

Atomic Radii
The Radius of an atom, defined as the distance between the center of the
atoms nucleus and its valence electrons

Ionic Radii
The ionic radius is the distance between the nucleus and the electron in
the outermost shell of an ion.

Melting Point
The temperature at which a given solid will melt or become a liquid.
Conductivity
A materials ability to conduct electricity.

Electronegativity
A chemical property that describes the tendency of an atom to attract
a shared pair of electrons toward itself.

Density
The degree of compactness of a substance.

Ionization Energy
The energy required to remove and electron form a gaseous atom or
ion.
 PERIOD SODIUM TO ARGON
OBJECTIVE 1.1

EXPLAIN THE VARIATION IN PHYSICAL

PROPERTIES OF THE ELEMENTS IN TERMS OF
STRUCTURE &BONDING

Electronegativity pertaining to the elements in period 3

Electronegativity is the ability of an atom to attract the bonding electrons in a covalent

bond.

The table gives values on the Pauling scale, which have no units. Fluorine (3.98) is
the most electronegative element.
Electronegativity
The table shows electronegativity values for the elements Na to Ar.
Description of trend
The graph shows how electronegativity varies across period 3:
• as the atomic number increases, the electronegativity of the elements increases.
Explanation of this trend
Going across period 3:
• the nuclear charge increases …
• the atomic radius decreases …

In Period 3, sodium with 11 protons is the

least electronegative element, and chlorine
with 17 protons is the most electronegative
element. You might expect argon (with 18
electrons) to be the most electronegative
element in Period 3. However, it does not
form covalent bonds, so it does not have an
electronegativity value.
Ioniation energy
There is a general increase in the ionization energy across a period. As we move
across a period, there is an increase in the nuclear charge and a decrease in atomic
radii. Although there are more electrons, the shielding effect of inner electrons is
negligible because each additional electron enters the same shell. Thus the
effective nuclear attraction for the electrons increases and more energy is required
to remove an electron hence ionization energy increases.

Density
 CHEMICAL REACTIONS OF THE
PERIOD 3 ELEMENTS
Reactions with water
 

1. Sodium
 
Sodium has a very exothermic reaction with
cold water producing hydrogen and a
colourless solution of sodium hydroxide.
2Na(s) + 2H2O(l) → 2NaOH(aq) + H2(g)
 
 
 
Magnesium
 
Magnesium has a very slight reaction with cold water, but burns in steam.
 
A very clean coil of magnesium dropped into cold water eventually gets covered
in small bubbles of hydrogen which float it to the surface. Magnesium hydroxide
is formed as a very thin layer on the magnesium and this tends to stop the
reaction.
 
Magnesium burns in steam with its typical white flame to produce white
magnesium oxide and hydrogen.
 
Mg(s)+2H2O(l)Δ−−→Mg(OH)2(aq)+H2(g)↑⏐⏐
 
 
 
 
Note: If you are heating the magnesium in a glass tube, the magnesium also
reacts with the glass. That leaves dark grey products (including silicon and
perhaps boron from the glass) as well as the white magnesium oxide.
Notice also that the oxide is produced on heating in steam. Hydroxides are only
ever produced using liquid water.
 
Aluminium

Aluminium powder heated in steam produces hydrogen and aluminium oxide.

The reaction is relatively slow because of the existing strong aluminium oxide
layer on the metal, and the build-up of even more oxide during the reaction.
 2Al + 3H2O → 3H2 + Al2O3

Silicon
 There is a fair amount of disagreement in the books
and on the web about what silicon does with water or
steam. The truth seems to depend on the precise form
of silicon you are using.
The common shiny grey lumps of silicon with a
rather metal-like appearance are fairly unreactive.
Most sources suggest that this form of silicon will
react with steam at red heat to produce silicon
dioxide and hydrogen.

Si + 2H2OSiO2 + 2H2
Phosphorus and sulphur
These have no reaction with water.

Chlorine
Chlorine dissolves in water to some extent to give a green solution.
A reversible reaction takes place to produce a mixture of
hydrochloric acid and chloric(I) acid (hypochlorous acid).

Cl2+H2O = HOCl+HCl

Note: You may also find the chloric(I) acid

written as HClO. The form I have used more
accurately reflects the way the atoms are
joined up. It doesn't matter which you use.
 
In the presence of sunlight, the chloric(I) acid
slowly decomposes to produce more
hydrochloric acid, releasing oxygen gas, and
you may come across an equation showing the
overall change:
Argon
 
There is no reaction between argon and water.

Argon is a noble gas and it does not react with any other

element.
 
 
Reactions with oxygen

Sodium
Sodium burns in oxygen with an orange flame to produce a white solid mixture
of sodium oxide and sodium peroxide.
For the simple oxide:

For the peroxide: 4Na + O2  2Na2o

 
For the peroxide: 2Na +O2  Na2O2

Magnesium
 
Magnesium burns in oxygen with an intense white flame to give white solid
magnesium oxide.

2𝑀𝑔(𝑠)+𝑂2(𝑔)→2𝑀𝑔𝑂(𝑠)+𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦
 Note: If magnesium is burns in air rather than in pure oxygen, it also
reacts with the nitrogen in the air. You get a mixture of magnesium oxide
and magnesium nitride formed.
 

Aluminium
 
Aluminium will burn in oxygen if it is powdered, otherwise the strong oxide layer
on the aluminium tends to inhibit the reaction. If you sprinkle aluminium powder
into a Bunsen flame, you get white sparkles. White aluminium oxide is formed.

4Al + 3O2 →2AlO3

Silicon

Silicon will burn in oxygen if heated strongly enough. Silicon dioxide is produced.
Si + O2  SiO2
Phosphorus
 
White phosphorus catches fire spontaneously in air, burning with a white flame and
producing clouds of white smoke - a mixture of phosphorus(III) oxide and phosphorus(V)
oxide.
 
The proportions of these depend on the amount of oxygen available. In an excess of
oxygen, the product will be almost entirely phosphorus(V) oxide.
 
For the phosphorus(III) oxide:
P4 + 3O2  P4O6
 
For the phosphorus(V) oxide:
P4 + 5O2  P4O10

Note: You may come across these oxides written as P2O3 and P2O5. Don't use these
forms! They are as logical as writing, say, ethene as CH2 and ethane as CH3.

 
Sulphur
 
Sulphur burns in air or oxygen on gentle heating with a pale blue flame. It
produces colourless sulphur dioxide gas. So2 and So3

S + O2  SO2

Note: Sulphur dioxide can, of course, be converted further into sulphur

trioxide in the presence of oxygen, but it needs the presence of a catalyst
and fairly carefully controlled conditions. If you are interested in this,
see the page on the Contact Process.

Chlorine and argon

 
Despite having several oxides, chlorine won't react directly with oxygen.
Argon doesn't react either.
 Reactions with chlorine
Sodium
 
Sodium burns in chlorine with a bright orange flame. White solid sodium
chloride is produced.

2Na + Cl2  2NaCl

Magnesium
 
Magnesium burns with its usual intense white flame to give white
magnesium chloride.

Mg + Cl2  MgCl2
Aluminium

Aluminium is often reacted with chlorine by passing dry chlorine over aluminium foil
heated in a long tube. The aluminium burns in the stream of chlorine to produce very pale
yellow aluminium chloride. This sublimes (turns straight from solid to vapour and back
again) and collects further down the tube where it is cooler.

2Al + 3Cl2  2AlCl3

Note: You may find versions of this equation showing the aluminium chloride as
Al2Cl6. In fact, this exists in the vapour at temperatures not too far above the
sublimation temperature - not in the solid. The structure of aluminium chloride is
discussed on the page about Period 3 chlorides.
If you follow this link, use the BACK button on your browser to return to this page.
Silicon
 
If chlorine is passed over silicon powder heated in a tube, it reacts to produce silicon
tetrachloride. This is a colourless liquid which vaporises and can be condensed further
along the apparatus.

Si + 2Cl2  SiCl4

Phosphorus
 
White phosphorus burns spontaneously in chlorine to produce a mixture of two chlorides,
phosphorus(III) chloride and phosphorus(V) chloride (phosphorus trichloride and
phosphorus pentachloride).
 
Phosphorus(III) chloride is a colourless fuming liquid.
P4 + 6Cl2  4PCl3

Phosphorus(V) chloride is an off-white (going towards yellow) solid.

P4 + 10Cl2  4PCl5
Sulphur

If a stream of chlorine is passed over some heated sulphur, it reacts to form an orange,
evil-smelling liquid, disulphur dichloride, S2Cl2.

2S + Cl2  S2Cl2

Chlorine and argon

 
A combination and chlorine simply gives you more chlorine.
 
Argon doesn't react with
Lab:#1
Date:March 10, 2020
Title: Period 3- Elements Guess Mg or Sulphur
Apparatus: Sulphur, magnesium, electrolytic cell, water

Procedure:
1. Place a spoonful of magnesium powder in water.
2. Use litmus paper and note the observations.
3. Place magnesium in electrolytic cell and record observations.
4. Repeat steps one to three with sulphur

Observations
A
*
*
B
*
*
Conclusion
PERIOD SODIUM TO ARGON
OBJECTIVE 1.3

EXPLAIN THE VARIATION IN OXIDATION NUMBER OF OXIDES AND

CHLORIDES

The formulae of the oxides and chlorides of period 3 elements show a pattern based on the
element’s highest oxidation state. The element highest oxidation state is equal to the
number of electrons on the outer shell of the atom. This means that all the outer electrons in
the period 3 element are involved in bonding. Bonding occurs with just one outer electron
on sodium, to all seven outer electrons on chlorine.
The highest oxidation state for the chloride of sulfur is in SCl4. Sulfur does not
form the hexachloride, possibly due to the atom not being able to accommodate
more than four chlorine atoms around it. SCl4 is unstable and readily
decomposes to form S2Cl4.
Period Sodium to Argon
 
1.4: Describe the reactions of the oxides and chlorides with water
 
Oxides are compounds formed by elements with oxygen. Oxygen is a highly reactive
element which reacts with most other elements to form binary compounds (compounds
made up of only two elements), in which it usually has a valency of 2 minus, often with
a release of large amounts of energy.
Oxides are very common in nature owing to the fact that the air consists of about
21% oxygen. Many metals occur as ores containing oxides. This makes them very
important economically.
 
• Al2O3 - Bauxite is important for the industrial production of aluminium by
electrolysis (The Hall Process)
 
• Fe2O3 - Haematite is important for the industrial extraction of iron (The blast
furnace, Bessemer Process)
 
Table showing period 3 oxides’s Formula, structure ,reaction with water & its acid/base
nature
 Quick summary of trends
 
The oxides that we will be discussing on at are:

Na2O Mg0 Al2O3 SiO2 P4O10 SO3 Cl2O7

P4O6 SO2 Cl2O

These oxides in the top row are known as the highest oxides of the various elements.
These are the oxides where the Period 3 elements are in their highest oxidation states.
In these oxides all the outer electrons in the period 3 elements are being involved in
the bonding- from the only one electron in sodium to all seven electrons of chlorine’s
outer shell.
 
Sodium oxide
Sodium oxide is a simple strongly basic oxide. It is basic because it contains the oxide
ion, O2-, which is a very strong base with a high tendency to combine with hydrogen
ions.
 Reaction with water
Sodium oxide reacts exothermically with cold water to produce sodium hydroxide
solution. Depending on its concentration, this will have a pH around 14.

Na2O + H2O  2NaOH

Reaction with water
If you shake some white magnesium oxide powder with water, nothing seems to happen
- it doesn't look as if it reacts. However, if you test the pH of the liquid, you find that it is
somewhere around pH 9 - showing that it is slightly alkaline.
There must have been some slight reaction with the water to produce hydroxide ions in
solution. Some magnesium hydroxide is formed in the reaction.
MgO + H2O Mg(OH).
Aluminum oxide

Reaction with water

Aluminium oxide doesn't react in a simple way with water in the sense that sodium
oxide and magnesium oxide do, and doesn't dissolve in it. Although it still contains
oxide ions, they are held too strongly in the solid lattice to react with the water .
Silicon dioxide (silicon(IV) oxide)
 

Reaction with water

Silicon dioxide doesn't react with water, because of the difficulty of
breaking up the giant covalent structure.
 The phosphorus oxides
We are going to be looking at two phosphorus oxides,
 
• phosphorus(III) oxide, P4O6
• phosphorus(V) oxide, P4O10.
 
Phosphorus(III) oxide reaction with water
Phosphorus(III) oxide reacts with cold water to give a
solution of the weak acid, H3PO3 - known variously as
phosphorous acid, orthophosphorous acid or phosphonic
acid. Its reaction with hot water is much more
complicated.
P4O6 +6H2O  4H3PO3

Phosphorus(V) oxide reaction with water

Phosphorus (V) oxide reacts violently with water to give a solution containing a mixture of
acids, the nature of which depends on the conditions. We usually just consider one of these,
phosphoric(V) acid, H3PO4 - also known just as phosphoric acid or as orthophosphoric acid.
P4O10 + 6H2O  4H3PO4
 The sulphur oxides

We are going to be looking at:

• sulphur dioxide (SO2)
• sulphur trioxide (SO3

Sulphur dioxide (SO2) reaction with water

Sulphur dioxide is fairly soluble in water, reacting with it to give a solution

known as sulphurous acid, and traditionally given the formula H 2SO3. However,
the main species in the solution is simply hydrated sulphur dioxide - SO 2, xH2O.
It is debatable whether any H2SO3 as such exists at all in the solution

SO2(g) + H2O(l) --> H2SO3(aq)

Sulphur trioxide (SO3) reaction with water

Sulphur trioxide reacts violently with water to produce a fog of concentrated

sulphuric acid droplets.

SO3 + H2O  H2SO4

Chlorine(VII) oxide reaction with water

Chlorine(VII) oxide is the highest oxide of chlorine - the chlorine is in its maximum oxidation
state of +7. It continues the trend of the highest oxides of the Period 3 elements towards being
stronger acids.
Chlorine(VII) oxide reacts with water to give the very strong acid, chloric(VII) acid - also
known as perchloric acid. The pH of typical solutions will, like sulphuric acid, be around 0

Cl207 + H2O --> 2HClO4

The chlorides we'll be looking at are:

Introduction:
Chlorine and Argon are emitted from the list of chlorides that we will be discussing
due to the mere fact that chlorine chloride would be the same thing and Argon isn’t
reactive enough to form a chloride.
 
Sodium Chloride (NaCl) and Magnesium Chloride (MgCl2) are ionic as they are
formed from metals , they form ionic lattices at room temperature .Aluminum
Chloride (AlCl3) and phosphorous Chloride (PCl5) has a change in structure from
ionic to covalent when it is liquid or vapor.
Reaction with water
On addition to water the Na+ section of NaCl is attracted to the oxygen side of the water
molecules, while the Cl- side is attracted to the hydrogens' side of the water molecule.
This causes the sodium chloride to split in water, and the NaCl dissolves into separate Na+
and Cl- atoms. A hydration shell is formed around them which prevents Na+ and Cl- to form
ionic bonds.
Sodium chloride simply dissolves in water to give a neutral solution
 Magnesium Chloride (MgCl2)
 

When magnesium ions are broken off the solid lattice and go into solution, there is
enough attraction between the 2+ ions and the water molecules to get co-ordinate
(dative covalent) bonds formed between the magnesium ions and lone pairs on
surrounding water molecules.
Hexaaquamagnesium ions are formed, [Mg(H2O)6]2+
Magnesium chloride dissolves in water to give a faintly acidic solution (pH =
approximately 6).
MgCl2 + 6H2O  [Mg(H2O)6]2+ + 2Cl-
 Aluminum chloride
(AlCL3)

Aluminum Chloride reacts dramatically with water. A drop of water placed onto solid
aluminum chloride produces steamy clouds of hydrogen chloride gas. Solid aluminum
chloride in an excess of water still splutters, but instead an acidic solution is formed. A
solution of aluminum chloride of ordinary concentrations (around 1 mol dm -3, for
example) has a pH around 2-3. More concentrated solutions have a lower pH.
The aluminum chloride reacts with the water rather than simply dissolving in
it. In the first instance
 
hexaaquaaluminum complex ions and chloride ions are formed:

AlCl3 + 6H2O  [Al(H2O)6] + 3Cl-

This is very similar to the magnesium chloride equation given above—the only
difference is the charge on the ion. The greater charge attracts electrons in the
water molecules quite strongly toward the aluminum, making the hydrogen
atoms more positive and therefore easier to remove from the ion. Hence, this
ion is much more acidic than in the corresponding magnesium case.
Silicon tetrachloride is a colorless liquid at room temperature which fumes in moist air.
The only attractions between the molecules are van der Waals dispersion forces (VERY
WEAK)
It doesn't conduct electricity because of the lack of ions or mobile electrons.
 Silicon tetrachloride (SiCl4) reaction with
water

It fumes in moist air because it reacts with water in the air to produce
hydrogen chloride. If you add water to silicon tetrachloride, there is a
violent reaction to produce silicon dioxide and fumes of hydrogen
chloride. In a large excess of water, the hydrogen chloride will, of course,
dissolve to give a strongly acidic solution containing hydrochloric acid

SiCl4 + 2H2O  SiO2 + 4HCl

 The phosphorus chlorides

There are two phosphorus chlorides –

• phosphorus(III) chloride, (PCl3)
• phosphorus(V) chloride, (PCl5

Phosphorous trichloride (PCl3)

Phosphorus(III) chloride reacts violently with water. You get phosphorous acid,
H3PO3, and fumes of hydrogen chloride (or a solution containing hydrochloric acid if
lots of water is used).
PCl3 + 3H2O  H3PO3 + 3HCl
 Phosphorus(V) chloride (phosphorus pentachloride)
(PCl5)

Phosphorus(V) chloride has a violent reaction with water producing fumes of

hydrogen chloride. As with the other covalent chlorides, if there is enough water
present, these will dissolve to give a solution containing hydrochloric acid.
 
The reaction happens in two stages. In the first, with cold water, phosphorus
oxychloride, POCl3, is produced along with HCl

PCl5 + H2O  POCl3 + 2HCl

If the water is boiling, the phosphorus(V) chloride reacts further to give

phosphoric(V) acid and more HCl. Phosphoric(V) acid is also known just as
phosphoric acid or as orthophosphoric acid.
POCl3 + 3H2O  H3PO4 + 3HCl

The overall equation in boiling water is just a combination of these:

PCl5 + 4H2O  H3PO4 + 5HCl
Disulphur dichloride is just one of three sulphur chlorides, but it is the only one that
usually gets mentioned. Disulphur dichloride is a simple covalent orange liquid that has
an substandard scent.
Disulphur dichloride consist of van der Waals dispersion forces and
dipole-dipole attractions, there are no ions and no mobile electrons
so hence does not conduct electricity.

Disulphur chloride reaction with water

Disulpher dichloride reacts slowly with water to produce a complex mixture of
things including:

• Hydrochloric acid
• Sulphur
• Hydrogen sulphide & various sulfur-containing acids and anions.
 PERIOD SODIUM TO ARGON
OBJECTIVE 1.5

EXPLAIN THE TREND IN THE ACID/BASE

BEHAVIOUR OF THE OXIDES AND HYDROXIDES

The trend in acid-base behaviour

The trend in acid-base behaviour is shown in various reactions, but as a simple summary:
The trend is from strongly basic oxides on the left-hand side to strongly acidic ones on the
right, via an amphoteric oxide (aluminium oxide) in the middle. An amphoteric oxide is one
which shows both acidic and basic properties.

Sodium oxide
Sodium oxide is a simple strongly basic oxide. It is basic because it contains the oxide ion, O 2

Reaction with water

Sodium oxide reacts exothermically with cold water to produce sodium hydroxide solution. It
dissolves readily in water to form an alkaline solution. Depending on its concentration, this will
have a pH around 14.
Na2O + H2O  2NaOH
 Magnesium Oxide
Magnesium oxide is again a simple basic oxide, because it also contains
oxide ions. However, it is not as strongly basic as sodium oxide. MgO is
only slightly soluble in water to form an alkaline solution.
MgO + H2O  Mg(OH)2

Aluminium oxide
It is known chemically as alpha-Al2O3 and is produced at high
temperatures. Aluminium oxide is amphoteric meaning it has both acidic
and basic properties. Although it still contains oxide ions, they are held too
strongly in the solid lattice to react with the water

Silicon dioxide
Silicon dioxide is acidic. It can react with with concentrated (strong) alkali
to form silicates. SiO2 is insoluble in water because of the difficulty of
breaking up the giant covalent structure.
Phosphorus(III) oxide

Phosphorus(III) oxide is acidic. Phosphorus(III) oxide reacts with

cold water to give a solution of the weak acid, H3PO3 - known
variously as phosphorous acid, orthophosphorous acid or
phosphonic acid.

P4O6 + 6H2O  4H3PO3

Phosphorus(V) oxide
Phosphorus(V) oxide reacts violently with water to give a solution
containing a mixture of acids, the nature of which depends on the
conditions. We usually just consider one of these, phosphoric(V)
acid, H3PO4
.
P4O10 + 6H2O  4H3PO4
Sulphur dioxide
Sulphur dioxide is fairly soluble in water, reacting with it to give
a solution known as sulphurous acid, and traditionally given the
formula H2SO3.

SO2(g) + H2O(l) --> H2SO3(aq)

 
Sulphur trioxide
Sulphur trioxide reacts violently with water to produce a fog of
concentrated sulphuric acid droplets.

SO3 + H2O  H2SO4  

Chlorine(VII) oxide
Chlorine(VII) oxide reacts with water to give the very strong
acid, chloric(VII) acid - also known as perchloric acid.

Cl207 + H2O --> 2HClO4

 
Chlorine(I) oxide
Chlorine(I) oxide is far less acidic than chlorine(VII) oxide. It reacts with
water to some extent to give chloric(I) acid, HOCl

Cl2 + H20 2HOCl