A-LEVEL

CHEMISTRY
PERIODICITY
Name _________________

Form ____

Useful websites:
http://www.periodicvideos.co.uk
http://www.chemguide.co.uk/inorganic/period3menu.html

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Feel free to use youtube to look at videos of specific reactions in this unit

Properties of period 3 elements: Revision

Look at the graphs below and decide which graph represents which
property. Try to explain the shape of the graph in the spaces top the right.

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Summary:

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4
Periodicity questions:

1. State and explain the following trends:

a) atomic size across Period 3

b) first ionisation energy across Period 3
c) electronegativity across Period 3
d) melting point from sodium to aluminium
e) electrical conductivity from sodium to aluminium

2. Explain the following:

a) the melting point of silicon is the highest in Period 3

b) the melting point of phosphorus is lower than silicon
c) the melting point of phosphorus is lower than that of sulphur
d) the boiling point of chlorine is greater than that of argon, but
lower than that of sulphur
e) neither silicon nor sulphur conduct electricity

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6
 REACTIONS OF PERIOD 3 ELEMENTS:

a. Reactions with water

Description Equation

Na

Mg

NB. Chlorine also reacts with cold water to form chloric(I) acid and
hydrochloric acid.

Equation:

b. Reactions with oxygen

Description Equation

Na

Mg

Al

Si

P4

S8

REACTIONS OF PERIOD 3 OXIDES WITH WATER:

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Oxide MP State Structu Reaction with water and pH of Natur
(ºC re equation soluti e of
) on oxide

127
Na2O
5

290
MgO
0

204
Al2O3
0

161
SiO2
0

P4O10 580

SO2 -75

SO3 17

Additional notes and images:

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Metallic oxides all have an ionic lattice structure consisting of oppositely
charged ions held together by strong electrostatic attractions in all
directions. These mainly form alkaline solutions.

Explaining the pH: The oxide ion in metallic oxides is too highly charged
to exist on its own in water. It attracts water molecules and hydrolyses to
give OH- ions.

O2- + H2O → 2OH-

The solubility of the resulting hydroxide is then what influences the pH of

the substance in solution.

Na2O Very soluble

High pH = 14

MgO Slightly soluble due to higher lattice enthalpy from the Mg 2+

ion
Slightly alkaline, pH = 8

Al2O3 Insoluble oxide so no free O 2- ions dissociated, and no OH - ions

formed
pH = 7 (that of water)

NB. Although Al2O3 does not change the pH of water, it will react with
acids and alkalis, hence it is ‘amphoteric’.

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Non-metallic oxides exist as either giant covalent structures (Silicon
dioxide), or simple molecular structures (phosphorous, sulphur and
chlorine – oxides). If soluble, these form acidic solutions.

Explaining the pH: These oxides tend to hydrolyse in water to produce

acidic solutions.

SiO2 is a macromolecule and therefore insoluble in water, so like Al 2O3 will

not dissolve and the pH will be 7 (that of water).

Phosphorous and sulphur oxides exist as simple molecules. They will

hydrolyse in water to produce the corresponding acids.

P4O10 produces Phosphoric acid H3PO4

SO2 produces sulphurous acid H2SO3 Lone pair donated to
vacant d orbital
SO3 produces sulphuric acid H2SO4

H+
release
d

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 ACID/BASE PROPERTIES OF GROUP 3 OXIDES:

Oxide Reaction with acid/alkali Nature

of oxide
With acid:

Na2O
With alkali:

With acid:

MgO
With alkali:

With acid:

Al2O3
With alkali:

With acid:

SiO2
With alkali:

With acid:

P4O10
With alkali:

With acid:

SO2
With alkali:

With acid:

SO3
With alkali:

Summary:
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Sample questions:

1. (a) Write equations to show what happens when the following oxides are added to
water and predict approximate values for the pH of the resulting solutions.
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 (i) sodium oxide

Equation ...........................................................................................................

pH ....................................................................................................................
.

(ii) sulphur dioxide

Equation ...........................................................................................................

pH ....................................................................................................................
.
(4)

(b) What is the relationship between bond type in the oxides of the Period 3 elements
and the pH of the solutions which result from addition of the oxides to water?

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 6 marks)

2. In the question below, Z is one of the Period 3 elements Na, Mg, Al, Si or P.

The oxide of element Z is a crystalline solid with a very high melting point. This
oxide is classified as an acidic oxide but it is not soluble in water.

(i) Deduce the type of crystal shown by the oxide of element Z.

...........………………………………………………………………………

(ii) Identify element Z.

...........………………………………………………………………………

(iii) Write an equation for a reaction which illustrates the acidic nature of the
oxide of element Z.

...........………………………………………………………………………
(4)
(Total 4 marks)

3. (a) The Period 3 elements, Na, Mg, Al, Si, P and S, all form oxides when the elements
are burned in an excess of oxygen.

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 (i) Give the formula of an oxide of one of these elements in which the element
is not in its highest oxidation state. Give the oxidation state of the element in
this oxide.

Formula of oxide ..............................................................................................

Oxidation state of element ...............................................................................

(ii) Write an equation for the reaction in which phosphorus(V) oxide is formed
from phosphorus and oxygen.

........................................................................................…..............................
(3)

(b) The melting points of some of the oxides formed by Period 3 elements are given in
a random order below.

Oxide A B C D E

Tm/C 2852 73 1610 1275 300

(i) Using the letters A to E, give two oxides which have simple molecular
structures.

Explain your answer.

Oxide 1 .............................................................................................................

Oxide 2 .............................................................................................................

Explanation ......................................................................................................

........................................................................................…..............................

(ii) Give a simple chemical test which could be used to show which of the
oxides in the table is sodium oxide. State the observation you would make.

Chemical test ..............................................................................................

…..

..................................................................................…....…............................

Observation ......................................................................................................
(6)
(Total 9 marks)

4. Consider the following oxides.

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 Na2O, MgO, Al2O3, SiO2, P4O10, SO3

(a) Identify one of the oxides from the above which

(i) can form a solution with a pH less than 3 ........................................................

(ii) can form a solution with a pH greater than 12 .................................................

(2)

(b) Write an equation for the reaction between

(i) MgO and HNO3

..........................................................................................................................

(ii) SiO2 and NaOH

..........................................................................................................................

(iii) Na2O and H3PO4

..........................................................................................................................
(3)

(c) Explain, in terms of their type of structure and bonding, why P4O10 can be
vaporised by gentle heat but SiO2 cannot.

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................
(4)
(Total 9 marks)

5. (a) (i) Write an equation for the reaction of sodium with cold water.
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 ..........................................................................................................................
(1)

(ii) By referring to the bonding and structure of silicon, suggest why silicon
does not react with cold water.

..........................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................
(2)

(b) The oxides of elements of Period 3 react to form salts with aqueous sodium
hydroxide or with aqueous sulphuric acid or with both of these reagents. Give the
formula of an oxide of an element of Period 3 that reacts with:

(i) aqueous sodium hydroxide only;

Formula of oxide...............................................................................................
(1)

(ii) aqueous sulphuric acid only;

Formula of oxide...............................................................................................
(1)

(iii) aqueous sodium hydroxide and aqueous sulphuric acid.

Formula of oxide...............................................................................................
(1)
(Total 6 marks)

6. (a) P and Q are oxides of Period 3 elements.

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Oxide P is a solid with a high melting point. It does not conduct electricity when
solid but does conduct when molten or when dissolved in water. Oxide P reacts
with water forming a solution with a high pH.

Oxide Q is a colourless gas at room temperature. It dissolves in water to give a

solution with a low pH.

(i) Identify P. State the type of bonding present in P and explain its electrical
conductivity. Write an equation for the reaction of P with water.

(ii) Identify Q. State the type of bonding present in Q and explain why it is a
gas at room temperature. Write an equation for the reaction of Q with water.
(9)
(Total 9 marks)

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