MERU SCHOOL

FORM TWO CHEMISTRY

Read and make note on Chemical Families and elements across period 3
Use the guide on this page when making notes and during revision.

Target 1: Introduction to chemical families

 Meaning of chemical families
 Main chemical families
Target 2: Alkali metals
a) Meaning and members
b) Trends down the group
 Atomic radius
 Ionic radius
 Energy levels
c) Physical properties
 Appearance
 Ease of cutting
 Melting and boiling points
 Electrical conductivity
 1st ionization energy
d) Chemical properties
 Burning in air
 Exposure to air
 Reaction with water
 Reaction with chlorine
e) Similarity of ions and formula of compounds of alkali metals
f) Uses of alkali metals.
Target 3: Alkaline earth metals
a) Meaning and members
b) Trends down the group
 Atomic radius
 Ionic radius
 Energy levels
c) Physical properties
 Melting and boiling [points
 Electrical conductivity
 1st ionization energy
 2nd ionization energy
d) Chemical properties
 Reaction with air and water

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  Reaction with steam
 Reaction with chlorine
 Reaction with dilute acids
e) Similarity of ions and formula of compounds of alkaline earth metals
f) Uses of alkaline earth metals.

Target 4: The Halogens

a) Meaning and members
b) Trends down the group
 Atomic radius
 Ionic radius
 Energy levels
c) Physical properties
 Preparation and properties of chlorine
 Appearance and physical states of halogens at room temperature
 Melting and boiling points
 Electrical conductivity
d) Chemical properties
 Ion formation
 Electron affinity
 Reaction with metals
 Reaction with water
 Reactivity trend of halogens.
e) Similarity of ions and formula of compounds of alkali metals
f) Uses of alkali metals
Target 5: The noble gases
a) Meaning and members
b) Trends down the group
 Atomic radius
 Ionic radius
 Energy levels
c) Physical properties
 Melting and boiling [points
 Electrical conductivity
 1st ionization energy
d) Chemical properties
e) Uses of the noble gases
Target 6: Trends across period 3
 Name elements in period 3
 Position of period 3 elements in periodic table
 Atomic number and electron configuration of the elements
 Trend in atomic radii across the period
 Valency of period 3 elements
 Ionization energy of the period 3 elements
Target 7:Physical properties of elements in period 3
 Physical state and appearance of elements in period 3
 Melting point and boiling point

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  Thermal and Electrical conductivity
 Explain the following observations
 Type of bond and structure present in period 3 elements

Target 8: Chemical properties

 Trend in chemical properties of the element in period 3
 Reaction of period 3 elements with oxygen,
 Reaction of period 3 elements with water,
 Reaction of period 3 elements with dilute acids.

ASSIGNMENT
1. What name is given to elements of group I
2. Give the names of elements that are in group 1 of the periodic table
3. Give the chemical symbols of:
a) Lithium
b) Sodium
c) Potassium
4. Write the electron arrangement of:
a) Lithium
b) Sodium
c) Potassium
5. Define the term atomic radius
6. Explain why the atomic radius of group I increase as you go down the group.
7. Explain the trend in ionic radius down group I.
8. Compare the ionic and atomic radius of group I elements.
9. State and explain the physical properties of alkali metals.
10. By use of balanced chemical equation explain what happens when sodium is exposed to
the atmospheric air.
11. How does sodium burn in air? Show by aid of a balanced chemical equation.
12. How does sodium burn in air enriched with oxygen? Explain by use of a balanced
chemical equation
13. How does potassium burn in air? Show by aid of a balanced chemical equation.
14. What product is formed when alkali metals react with chlorine gas?
15. State and explain the observations made when water reacts with the following metals
write equations for each metals:
a) Potassium
b) Sodium
c) Lithium
16. State and explain the observations when the following metals are lowered into a gas jar
of chlorine:
a) Hot sodium
b) Burning lithium
c) Hot potassium
17. From the above reactions comment and explain on the general chemical reactivity of
alkali metals as you go down the group..
18. Alkali metals are not found as free elements explain.
19. Give any two uses of alkali metals

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 20. What name is given to elements of group II
21. Give the names of elements that are in group 1 of the periodic table
22. Give the chemical symbols of:
a) Beryllium
b) Magnesium
c) Calcium
23. Write the electron arrangement of:
d) Beryllium
a) Magnesium
b) Calcium
24. Define the term atomic radius
25. Explain why the atomic radius of group II increase as you goes down the group.
26. Explain the trend in ionic radius down group II.
27. Compare the ionic and atomic radius of group II elements.
28. State and explain the physical properties of alkaline earth metals.
29. Explain by aid of balanced chemical equations how the following metals burn in air.
a) Magnesium
b) Calcium
c) State and explain the effect of adding water to the products formed when
magnesium is reacted with water.
d) State and explain the effect of adding water to the products formed when
magnesium is reacted with water.
30. State and explain the observations when the following metals are reacted with cold water
a) Magnesium
b) Calcium
31. The diagram below shows a set-up of an experiment that was used to investigate the
reaction between magnesium and steam. In this experiment some wet sand was put at the
bottom of a test tube. Magnesium ribbon was scrubbed with an emery paper and placed at
the middle of the tes-tube. The wet sand was heated gently first then the magnesium
ribbon was heated strongly until it glowed. Use the set-up to answer the questions that
follow.

a) Why was the magnesium ribbon cleaned with an emery paper?

b) Why was the wet sand heated first before heating the magnesium ribbon?
c) Before heating is stopped the delivery tube inserted in water must be
disconnected. Give a reason.
d) State and explain the observations made during the experiment.

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 e) Write a balanced chemical equation between magnesium and steam
f) A similar experiment must never be conducted with potassium. Explain.
32. a) State and explain the observations made when a burning magnesium ribbon is lowered
into a gas jar of chlorine.
b) Write a balanced chemical equation between magnesium and chlorine
c) A similar experiment may not be successful with calcium explain why.
d) Write a balanced chemical equation between calcium and chlorine.
33. By aid of balanced chemical equations state and explain the observations made when
dilute hydrochloric acid and dilute sulphuric (VI) acid are reacted with the following
metals.
a) Dilute hydrochloric acid and magnesium
b) Dilute hydrochloric acid and calcium
c) Dilute sulphuric (VI) acid and magnesium.
d) Dilute sulphuric (VI) acid and calcium
34. Give the uses of alkaline earth metals.
35. Comment on the reactivity of alkaline earth metals as you go down the group.
36. What name is given to the members of group 7 of the periodic table?
37. Give the name, chemical symbol, electron arrangement, valency, charge and state at room
temperature of the halogens.

Element Symbol Atomic Electronic Charge of ion Valency State at Room

number configuration Temperature
Fluorine F 9 2:7 F- 1 Pale yellow gas
Chlorine Cl 17 2:8:7 Cl- 1 Pale green gas
Bromine Br 35 2:8:18:7 Br- 1 Red liquid
Iodine I 53 2:8:18:18:7 I- 1 Grey Solid
Astatine At 85 2:8:18:32:18:7 At- 1 Radioactive

38. Define the term atomic radius

39. Explain why the atomic radius of group VII elements increases as you go down the
group.
40. Explain the trend in ionic radius down group VII.
41. Compare the ionic and atomic radius of group VII elements.
42. State and explain the physical properties of halogens.
43. Explain the following observations. When a boiling tube containing chlorine gas or
bromine vapour is inverted in water or tetrachloromethane the level of the solution rises
in the boiling tube. The level of the solution rises more in tetrachloromethane than in
water. The rise in water level is more with chlorine than with bromine
44. What is the trend in solubility of the halogens down the group in water and in organic
solvents?
45. Iodine sublimes when heated to form purple vapour. Explain this observation
46. Halogens are non-conductors of electricity. Explain this observation.
47. The melting and boiling points of halogen increases as you go down the group. Explain.
48. Define the term electron affinity.
49. What is the relationship between the atomic radius and electron affinity?
50. What is the relationship between electron affinity and chemical reactivity of an element?
51. Why does fluorine show exceptionally low electron affinity even though it is higher on
the periodic table than other halogens?

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 52. What product is formed when iron is reacted with halogens?
53. Write balanced chemical equation between the following substances and state the colours
of the products:
a) Iron and chlorine
b) Iron and bromine
c) Iron + iodine
54. Write balanced chemical equations between zinc and halogens.
55. Chlorine gas was prepared and bubbled through water as shown on the diagram below.
Use the diagram to answer the questions that follow.

a) What is the role of potassium manganate (VII) and concentrated hydrochloric

acid?
b) Write a balanced chemical equation that takes place between water and chlorine.
c) What name is given to the product formed in (b) above?
d) What colour is the product named in (c) above?
e) Which substance gives the substance named in (c) above its colour?
f) State and explain the observations made during this experiment.
g) What is the role of concentrated sodium hydroxide?
To absorb unreacted poisonous chlorine gas to prevent it to escape to the air since
it is poisonous.
h) The product obtained from equation written in above was filled in a boiling tube
and the remaining solution was put in a beaker. The boiling tube was then
inverted in the beaker with the product and the set-up was put on sunlight as
shown on the diagram below. Use the diagram to answer the questions that
follow.

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 a) State and explain the observations made after one day
b) Write a balanced chemical equation that had taken place after one day.
c) A little of the product formed was in (h) above was put in a test tube and a blue litmus
paper was put in this test tube with the product. State and explain the observations
made.
d) Write a balanced chemical equation to show the change taking place in (c) above.
56. Comment on the reactivity of halogens as you go down the group.
57. Give the uses of halogens.
58. Give the elements that are found in group VIII of the periodic table.
59. Give the chemical symbols of elements in group VIII of the periodic table
60. What percentage by volume is occupied by the noble gases in atmospheric air?
61. Which noble gas is the most abundant in atmospheric air and what is its percentage by
volume in air?
62. What name is given to elements in group (VIII) of the periodic table?
63. Why are group VIII elements referred to group zero elements?
64. Write the electron arrangement of the first three noble gases in the periodic table.
65. What do you understand by duplet electron arrangement?
66. What do you understand by an octet electron arrangement?
67. Explain why the ionization energies of group 0 are generally high.
68. Explain why the atomic radius of noble gases increases down the group.
69. Explain why the first ionization energy of group VIII elements decreases down the group.
70. Explain why the noble gases have low melting and low boiling points.
71. Explain why the melting and boiling points of noble gases increases down the group.
72. Noble gases were initially called inert gases. Explain.
73. Even if xenon is a stable element found in group VIII of the periodic table it found
present in some compounds. Explain.
74. State the uses of noble gases.
75. Give the elements in period 3.
76. Give the chemical symbols of period 3 elements
77. Sodium, magnesium and alluminium are good conductors of electricity. Explain.
78. State and explain the trend of electrical conductivity of metals across period 3.
79. Compare the electrical conductivity of magnesium and alluminium.
80. Explain why chlorine sulphur, phosphorus and argon do not conduct electricity.
81. In terms of electrical conductivity explain why silicon is unique among period 3
elements.
82. Comment on the trend of atomic radius across period 3 elements of the periodic table.
83. What type of structure do magnesium, sodium and aluminium have?
84. What type of structure has silicon.
85. Silicon has a high melting and high boiling points explain.
86. Explain the trend in melting and boiling points across the metals of period 3 of the
periodic table.
87. Explain why the melting and boiling points decreases from phosphorus to argon across
period 3.
88. Explain why from phosphorus, sulphur, chlorine and argon have low melting and low
boiling points.
89. Describe by aid of balanced chemical equations how the following elements react with
oxygen and the product reacted with water.

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 a) Sodium
b) Magnesium
c) Aluminium
d) Silicon
e) Phosphorus
f) Sulphur burns in oxygen with a blue flame to form sulphur (IV) oxide
g) Chlorine
90. Describe by aid of equations how period 3 elements react with cold water.
a) Sodium
b) Magnesium
c) Aluminium
91. Comment on the reactivity of period 3 metals with oxygen and water.
92. Write an equation of reaction of chlorine with water.
93. Aluminium does not readily react with dilute acids explain and how can this be solved?
94. Which elements in period 3 do not react with dilute acids
95. Write balanced chemical equations between common mineral acids with aluminium and
magnesium.
96. Explain sulphur does not react with dilute hydrochloric acid
97. Study the information in the table below and answer the questions that follow:
Element Atomic radius (nm) Ionic radius (nm)
W 0.114 0.195

X 0.072 0.136
Y 0.133 0.216
Z 0.099 0.181
a) Would these form part of a metallic or a non-metallic group? Explain
b) Suggest an element in the table above likely to be the most reactive. Explain
98. State the reason for using Argon in electric light bulbs
99. Study the information in the table below and answer the questions that follow. The letters
do not represent the actual symbols of the elements.
Element Electronic configuration Boiling point
X 2.7 -188oC
Y 2.8.7 -35oC
Z 2.8.18.7 59oC

a) What is the general name given to the group in which the elements X, Y and
Z belong?
b) Select two elements which are coloured gases
c) Explain why Z has the highest boiling point
d) Write an equation for the reaction of element Z with iron metal
e) Element Y was dissolved in water and a piece of blue litmus paper was put
into the resulting solution. State and explain the observation that was made on
the litmus paper

100. The table below shows elements A, B, C, E, F, and G. Elements in group X have
a valency of 2 while elements in group Y have a valency of 1. Use the table to answer the
questions that follow:-
GROUP X
GROUP Y

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 Element A B C E F G
Atomic radius 14.0 19.5 19.7 5.2 7.9 11.3
(nm)
Ionic radius (nm) 7.6 10.5 12.4 12.6 16.1 19.6
ii) Atomic radius increases from A to C and from E to G. Explain
iii) Explain the difference in the atomic and ionic radii of group X elements
iv) Elements C and G belong to the same period. Explain why the atomic radius
of C is larger than that of G
v) Give the formula of the compound formed when B and F react
vi) What type of bonding is formed in the compound above? Explain
vii) Starting with the least reactive, arrange the elements in group Y in the order of
reactivity. Explain:

101. The information in the table below relates to elements in the same group of the
periodic table. Study it and answer the question that follows.

Element Atomic size (nm)

P 0.19
Q 0.23
R 0.15
Which element has the highest ionization energy? Explain
102. Study the information in the table below and answer the questions that follow.
(The letters do not represent the actual symbols of the elements)
Element Electronic configuration Ionization energy Kj/mol)
P 2.2 1800
Q 2.8.2 1450
R 2.8.8.2 1150

a) What is the general name given to the group in which elements P, Q and R
belong?
b) Explain why P has the highest ionization energy
c) Write a balanced chemical equation for the reaction between element Q and
water
103) The grid below represents periodic table. Study it and answer the questions that follow.
The letters do not represent the actual symbols of the elements.

A
B G H E C
J I L
D M

(a)Indicate on the grid the position of an element represented by letter N whose

electronic configuration of a divalent cation is 2:8:8.
(b) Name the bond formed when D and H react. Explain your answer.
(c) Write an equation for the reaction between B and water.
(d) How do the atomic radii of I and L compare. Explain.

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104) The grid below shows part of the periodic table. Use it to answer the questions that
follow.

S U V
P R X T W
Q

a) Which of the elements has the largest atomic radius?

b) Identify the most reactive metal. Explain.
c) Name the chemical family to which P and Q belong
d) Compare the atomic radius of S and U. Explain
e) Select an element that does not form ion. Explain
f) Give the formula of one stable cation with an electron arrangement of 2.8.8.

105) The table below gives information of four elements represented by J,K,L and M. Study it
and answer it and answer the questions that follow. The letters do not represent the actual
symbols of the elements.

Element Electron arrangement Atomic radius Ionic radius

J 2.8.2 0.136 0.065
K 2.8.7 0.099 0.181
L 2.8.8.1 0.203 0.133
M 2.8.8.2 0.174 0.09

a) Which two elements have similar chemical properties? Explain

b) Write the formula of the sulphate of L?
c) Identify the element which is a non metal.
d) Explain why the ionic radius of M is less than that of L.

NOTE:
Opener exam will cover the following areas
Whole of Form one work
Form two work – Atomic structure and periodic table
Chemical families and element across period 3

Chemical families and elements across period 3 Page 10