Trends on the Periodic Table

Elements close to each other on the periodic table display similar characteristics.

Metallic Properties:

- from left to right across the table = metallic to non-metallic

- going down a family in the table = more metallic

Atomic Radius
<the measure of the size of an atom>

- going across a row left to right = atomic radii decreases

- going down a group = atomic radii increases

Reactivity
<the rate at which a chemical substance tends to undergo a chemical reaction> 

- Metals and non-metals have different trends.

(The most reactive metal is Francium, and the most reactive non-metal is Fluorine.)

Ion Charge

- Each group (column) in the periodic table have different ion charges.

Melting Point
 <the temperature of a solid at which it changes state from solid to liquid>

- Elements in the center of the table have the highest melting point.

- Noble gases have the lowest melting/boiling points

- Melting point increases from the left to right of the table until the middle.

Ionization Energy

<The energy required to remove an electron from a neutral atom, measured in kJ/mol.>

- increases going up and to the right

- Helium has the highest ionization energy, and Francium has the lowest ionization energy.

Electronegativity

<The tendency of an atom to attract electrons from a neighbouring atom>

- increases going up and to the right

- Fluorine is the most electronegative element in the periodic table