C2.5 Explaining trends

Question 1

What is the effect when the atoms become larger as you go down the group?

Answer 1

➢ Larger atoms lose electrons more easily as you go down the group
➢ Larger atoms gain electrons less easily going down a group

Question 2

Why does the reactivity increase as you go down group 1?

Answer 2

➢ Atoms get larger - so the single electron in the outermost shell is attracted less strongly to the positive nucleus
➢ The electrostatic attraction with the nucleus gets weaker because the distance between the outer electron and the nucleus increases
➢ The outer electron also experience a shielding effect from the inner shells of electrons
➢ Reduces the attraction between the oppositely charged outer electron and the nucleus

Question 3

Why does the reactivity decrease as you go down group 7?

Answer 3

➢ The atom gets larger - so the outer electrons get further away from the nucleus
➢ Outer shell will be more shielded by more inner shells of electrons
➢ Reduces electrostatic forces of attraction
➢ Making it harder to attract a gain an extra incoming electron

Question 4

What does the electrostatic attraction depend on?

Answer 4

➢ The distance between the outermost electrons and the nucleus
➢ Number of inner shells
➢ The size of the positive nucleus