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Ch.2 Atoms and the Periodic Table
Chapter 2, Problem 98

Look again at the trends illustrated in Figures 2.3 and 2.4. a. How do the peaks/valleys correlate with locations in the periodic table? b. Are there other chemical properties that also exhibit periodic trends? What are they?Graph showing electronegativity trends across atomic numbers 0 to 100.

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1
Examine the graph to identify the periodic trend of electronegativity across the periodic table. Notice how electronegativity peaks at certain atomic numbers and valleys at others.
Correlate the peaks in electronegativity with the positions of nonmetals in the periodic table, such as fluorine, oxygen, and nitrogen, which are known for high electronegativity.
Observe the valleys in electronegativity, which correspond to the positions of alkali metals and alkaline earth metals, known for their low electronegativity.
Consider other chemical properties that exhibit periodic trends, such as atomic radius, ionization energy, and electron affinity, which also vary predictably across periods and groups.
Reflect on how these periodic trends are related to the electronic configuration of elements and the effective nuclear charge experienced by valence electrons.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Periodic Trends

Periodic trends refer to the predictable patterns observed in the properties of elements as one moves across or down the periodic table. These trends include variations in atomic radius, ionization energy, electronegativity, and electron affinity, which are influenced by the arrangement of electrons and the effective nuclear charge experienced by those electrons.
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Electronegativity

Electronegativity is a measure of an atom's ability to attract and hold onto electrons when forming chemical bonds. It typically increases across a period from left to right due to increasing nuclear charge and decreases down a group as the distance between the nucleus and valence electrons increases, leading to a weaker attraction.
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Correlation with the Periodic Table

The correlation of peaks and valleys in trends like electronegativity with the periodic table reflects the underlying electronic structure of elements. For instance, elements in the same group exhibit similar electronegativity values, while those in the same period show a general increase in electronegativity, highlighting the influence of atomic structure on chemical behavior.
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