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Modern Periodic Table Modern Periodic Law - Definition, Examples, Properties, FAQs

Modern Periodic Table Modern Periodic Law - Definition, Examples, Properties, FAQs

Edited By Team Careers360 | Updated on Jul 02, 2025 04:37 PM IST

Define The Modern Periodic Table:

The modern periodic table is given by properties of elements are determined by the periodic functions of their atomic numbers, according to the current periodic law. Across each row, elements were arranged from left to right in increasing order of their atomic numbers. There is a regular pattern in the elements with similar properties. the modern periodic table is based on atomic numbers.

This Story also Contains
  1. Define The Modern Periodic Table:
  2. Why Atomic Number Instead of Atomic Mass?
  3. The Long Form of the Periodic Table
  4. Periodic groups in the the modern periodic table
  5. The modern periodic table: The Cause of Periodicity
  6. Modern periodic law: What is it?
  7. Definition of the modern periodic law
  8. Associated Terms:

Why Atomic Number Instead of Atomic Mass?

There are protons and neutrons in every nucleus of an atom, and their mass is referred to as atomic mass. A nuclear nucleus has a specific number of protons, whereas an atomic number indicates the number of those protons. In addition, there are exactly as many protons in the nucleus as electrons outside it.

Background wave

The nucleus of an atom is embedded deep within the atom. There are some electrons outside of it, especially those in the outermost shell, which can move freely. Chemical reactions are therefore involved in their activity. As a result, the properties of an element depend on its atomic number rather than its atomic mass.

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The Long Form of the Periodic Table

According to the modern periodic law, the modern periodic table is based on the long-form. A periodic table is an arrangement of elements in increasing order of their atomic number.

The Periodic TableThe Periodic Table

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Periodic groups in the the modern periodic table

The modern periodic tables have vertical columns called groups. In the periodic table, there are 18 groups. one through eighteen groups is numbered. The elements in each group have the same outer shell electronic configuration. The Periodic Table of the Modern Era Whenever you see a horizontal row in the modern or long periodic table, it is a period.

The periodic table has seven periods. There are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 on each side. One of the elements in the first period is hydrogen. The other element is helium. Two of the three periods consist of eight elements each. There are 18 elements in each of the 4th and 5th periods The 6th period, however, consists of 32 elements.

In the seventh period of the periodic table, four new elements have been discovered. Nihonium 113, Meconium 115, Tennessine 117, and Magnesium 118. There are 32 elements in this addition, completing the 7th period. There is an additional panel at the bottom of the long periodic table. Lanthanides are 14 elements of the 6th period. The 7th period of the periodic table has 14 elements called actinides. The number of shells or energy levels in the atom of an element corresponds to its period.

The modern periodic table: The Cause of Periodicity

Regular repetitions of similar outer electron configurations are thought to explain periodicity in properties. The outer electronic configuration of all group 1 elements, the alkali metals, is the same, ns1.

In this example, n refers to the Principal Quantum Number of the outermost shell. The outer electronic configuration of elements in group 17 is ns2 np5. As a result, they are similar in their properties. Halogens are these substances.

A similar outer electronic configuration is found for elements of group 18. The orbits are filled to the brim. Known as inert gases, they are nonreactive elements. Argon and Helium are also members of this group due to their electron configurations. Inert gases are the ones that are together and are known as such!

Element properties within a group are similar to those of all the other members of the same group. Their outer shell electron configurations are all similar.

Modern periodic law: What is it?

Mendeleev developed a periodic table based on the periodic law and the periodic law. Mendeleev developed the periodic table toward the end of the 18th century. In the old days, scientists weren't aware of the atom's internal structure. The atomic number is the most basic property of a chemical element, as revealed by the development of various atomic models and advancements in quantum theory. Mendeleev's periodic law was subsequently modified, resulting in what is now called a modern periodic theory.

NCERT Chemistry Notes:

Definition of the modern periodic law

Modern periodic law can be summarized as follows:

Periodic functions of the atomic numbers of the elements determine their physical and chemical properties."

Neutral atoms contain electrons or protons whose number depends on their atomic structure. The fundamental unit of element knowledge led scientists to understand quantum numbers and the electronic configuration of elements on the periodic table. Chemistry discovered that the 94 naturally occurring chemical elements have analogies based on the periodic law. A comparison between these elements caught people's attention. Many synthetic elements were created by scientists. Modern periodic law-based periodic tables were derived from Mendeleev's periodic table.

Associated Terms:

  • There is a total of protons in the nucleus of an atom of an element that is its atomic number.

  • An element's mass number is the number of protons and neutrons inside the nucleus of the atom of that element.

  • The atomic mass of an atom, subatomic particle, or molecule is called its atomic mass.

  • Atomic or molecular orbitals define an atom or molecule's electronic configuration.

  • This temperature is used as part of the melting point of an element to change it from solid to liquid.

  • In a liquid, the boiling point occurs when the vapor pressure equals the pressure around the liquid. The temperature at which liquid turns into vapor is called the vaporization point.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Q1. Who discovered the modern periodic table?

The the modern periodic table discovered by Dmitri Mendeleev and Lothar Meyer in 1869. Mendeleev created the first periodic table, followed by Meyer shortly afterward. The elements were grouped according to their mass and recurrences of certain properties were proposed.

2. Q2. What is the importance of the periodic law?

It is widely recognized as one of chemistry's most important concepts. The Periodic law plays an integral role in the study of chemical elements, properties, and reactions, whether consciously or unconsciously. The modern periodic tables were developed based on periodic law.

3. Q3. What is the relationship between periodic trends and periodic law?

Periodic trends are common patterns in the periodic table revealing the various properties attached to an element, such as electronegativity or atomic radius. Certain properties of elements occur periodically when grouped by atomic number according to the periodic law.

4. Q4. What is the periodicity of atomic mass?

As a general rule, nuclear mass decreases from left to right but always increases from top to bottom. During the development of the periodic table, the atomic number was developed as a basis for organizing the elements. The atomic number always increases from left to right and from top to bottom.

5. Q5. What is relative periodicity?

In any given period, no two elements have the same electronic configuration in the valence shell. The chemical properties of elements over time also graduate from left to right based on a periodic graduation for their physical properties. There is a periodic property that describes this.

6. What are periods in the Modern Periodic Table?
Periods are horizontal rows in the periodic table. Each period represents a new electron shell and contains elements with increasing atomic numbers. There are 7 periods in the modern periodic table.
7. What is electronegativity and how does it vary in the periodic table?
Electronegativity is the ability of an atom to attract electrons in a chemical bond. It generally increases from left to right across a period and decreases down a group due to changes in atomic size and nuclear charge.
8. What are valence electrons and how do they relate to an element's reactivity?
Valence electrons are the electrons in the outermost shell of an atom. They determine an element's chemical reactivity and bonding behavior. Elements with fewer valence electrons tend to be more reactive, as they seek to achieve a stable electron configuration.
9. How does atomic size change across a period and down a group?
Across a period, atomic size generally decreases due to increasing nuclear charge and electron-electron repulsion. Down a group, atomic size increases due to the addition of new electron shells.
10. How does ionization energy trend across the periodic table?
Ionization energy generally increases from left to right across a period and decreases down a group. This is due to changes in atomic size, nuclear charge, and electron shielding.
11. How does the Modern Periodic Table help in understanding the concept of oxidation states?
The position of an element in the Modern Periodic Table can indicate its common oxidation states. For example, group 1 elements typically have a +1 oxidation state, while halogens often have a -1 state. Transition elements can have multiple oxidation states.
12. How does the Modern Periodic Table help in understanding the concept of electronegativity?
The Modern Periodic Table shows clear trends in electronegativity. It generally increases from left to right across a period and decreases down a group, with fluorine being the most electronegative element.
13. How does the Modern Periodic Table help in understanding the concept of atomic orbitals?
The periodic table's structure corresponds to the filling of atomic orbitals (s, p, d, f) as atomic number increases. This organization helps visualize how electron configurations change across periods and groups.
14. What is the significance of the f-block elements in the periodic table?
The f-block elements, comprising the lanthanides and actinides, have electrons filling the f-orbitals. They are placed separately at the bottom of the table due to their similar properties and to maintain the table's overall structure.
15. How does the Modern Periodic Table help in predicting the reactivity of elements?
An element's position in the periodic table can indicate its reactivity. Generally, metals on the left are highly reactive, while noble gases on the right are least reactive. The table helps predict reactivity based on electron configuration and electronegativity.
16. What is the Modern Periodic Law?
The Modern Periodic Law states that the physical and chemical properties of elements are periodic functions of their atomic numbers. This means that when elements are arranged in order of increasing atomic number, elements with similar properties appear at regular intervals.
17. How does the Modern Periodic Table help predict an element's properties?
The Modern Periodic Table organizes elements based on their atomic structure, allowing us to predict properties like reactivity, atomic size, and bonding behavior based on an element's position in the table.
18. How does the Modern Periodic Table reflect the Aufbau principle?
The Modern Periodic Table's structure reflects the Aufbau principle, which describes the order in which electron orbitals are filled. The table's organization follows the sequence of filling orbitals: 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, 3d, and so on.
19. What is the relationship between an element's position in the periodic table and its melting and boiling points?
Generally, melting and boiling points increase from left to right across a period (with some exceptions) due to stronger interatomic forces. Down a group, these points often decrease due to weaker forces between larger atoms.
20. What is the octet rule and how does it relate to the periodic table?
The octet rule states that atoms tend to gain, lose, or share electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration with eight valence electrons (like noble gases). The periodic table helps predict how elements will behave to achieve this stable configuration.
21. How does the Modern Periodic Table reflect the quantum mechanical model of the atom?
The Modern Periodic Table reflects the quantum mechanical model by organizing elements based on their electron configurations. The table's structure corresponds to the filling of electron subshells (s, p, d, f) as atomic number increases.
22. How does the Modern Periodic Table account for the anomalous behavior of some elements?
The Modern Periodic Table accounts for anomalies by placing elements based on atomic number rather than strictly by properties. This allows for exceptions like hydrogen's placement and the position of lanthanides and actinides.
23. What are isoelectronic species and how does the periodic table help identify them?
Isoelectronic species are atoms or ions with the same number of electrons. The periodic table helps identify these by showing elements' electron configurations and allowing us to track changes in electron count due to ion formation.
24. How does the concept of effective nuclear charge relate to periodic trends?
Effective nuclear charge is the net positive charge experienced by an electron in an atom. It generally increases across a period and up a group, influencing trends in atomic size, ionization energy, and electron affinity.
25. What is the significance of the "island of stability" in the periodic table?
The "island of stability" refers to a theoretical cluster of superheavy elements with relatively long half-lives. It's predicted to exist beyond the currently known elements in the periodic table, challenging our understanding of nuclear stability.
26. What are groups in the Modern Periodic Table?
Groups are vertical columns in the periodic table. Elements in the same group have similar chemical properties due to their similar electron configurations in their outermost shells. There are 18 groups in the modern periodic table.
27. What are transition elements and where are they located in the periodic table?
Transition elements are elements with partially filled d-orbitals. They are located in the middle of the periodic table, in groups 3-12, and exhibit variable oxidation states and form colored compounds.
28. What are metalloids and where are they located in the periodic table?
Metalloids are elements that exhibit properties of both metals and non-metals. They are located along the stair-step line separating metals from non-metals on the right side of the periodic table.
29. What are the lanthanides and actinides, and why are they placed separately in the periodic table?
Lanthanides and actinides are two series of elements with partially filled f-orbitals. They are placed separately at the bottom of the periodic table to maintain its overall structure and because they have very similar properties within each series.
30. How does the Modern Periodic Table explain the formation of ionic compounds?
The Modern Periodic Table shows the tendency of metals (left side) to lose electrons and non-metals (right side) to gain electrons. This helps explain the formation of ionic compounds between elements from opposite sides of the table.
31. What is the significance of the zigzag line in the periodic table?
The zigzag line in the periodic table separates metals from non-metals. Elements along this line are metalloids, exhibiting properties of both metals and non-metals. This line helps visualize the transition from metallic to non-metallic character.
32. What is the significance of the d-block elements in the periodic table?
The d-block elements, also known as transition elements, fill the d-orbitals. They exhibit variable oxidation states, form colored compounds, and often have catalytic properties. Their position in the middle of the table reflects their unique electron configurations.
33. How does the Modern Periodic Table reflect the Pauli Exclusion Principle?
The Modern Periodic Table's structure, with its periods and groups, reflects the Pauli Exclusion Principle. Each orbital can hold a maximum of two electrons with opposite spins, which is reflected in the element configurations and table organization.
34. How does the Modern Periodic Table help in predicting the magnetic properties of elements?
The electron configuration of an element, which can be inferred from its position in the periodic table, helps predict its magnetic properties. Elements with unpaired electrons (often transition metals) tend to be paramagnetic or ferromagnetic.
35. How does the Modern Periodic Table help in understanding the concept of electron shielding?
The periodic table's structure reflects increasing atomic number and electron shells. This helps in understanding electron shielding, where inner electrons shield outer electrons from the nuclear charge, affecting atomic size and ionization energy trends.
36. How does the electron configuration of elements relate to their position in the periodic table?
The electron configuration of an element determines its position in the periodic table. Elements in the same group have similar outer electron configurations, while elements in the same period have electrons filling the same energy level.
37. What is the significance of the block structure (s, p, d, f) in the Modern Periodic Table?
The block structure in the Modern Periodic Table corresponds to the type of subshell being filled in the outermost energy level of the elements. This structure helps predict and explain chemical and physical properties of elements.
38. What is the relationship between an element's group number and its number of valence electrons?
For main group elements (groups 1-2 and 13-18), the group number corresponds to the number of valence electrons. For example, group 1 elements have 1 valence electron, while group 18 (noble gases) have 8 valence electrons (except helium with 2).
39. Why do noble gases have low reactivity?
Noble gases have low reactivity because they have a full outer shell of electrons, making their electron configuration very stable. This stability means they don't readily form chemical bonds with other elements.
40. How does the Modern Periodic Table help in understanding chemical bonding?
The Modern Periodic Table provides information about electron configurations and trends in electronegativity, which are crucial for understanding chemical bonding. Elements' positions in the table can predict their tendency to form ionic, covalent, or metallic bonds.
41. Why is atomic number used as the basis for the Modern Periodic Table instead of atomic mass?
Atomic number is used because it represents the number of protons in an atom, which determines the element's identity and chemical properties. Atomic mass can vary due to isotopes, making it less reliable for organizing elements.
42. How does the Modern Periodic Table differ from Mendeleev's Periodic Table?
The Modern Periodic Table is based on atomic number, while Mendeleev's table was based on atomic mass. The modern table also includes noble gases and accommodates the lanthanides and actinides series, which were unknown in Mendeleev's time.
43. How does the Modern Periodic Table account for isotopes?
The Modern Periodic Table lists the weighted average atomic mass for each element, which takes into account the naturally occurring isotopes. The atomic number, which determines an element's position, remains constant for all isotopes of an element.
44. What is the relationship between an element's position in the periodic table and its ionization energy?
Ionization energy generally increases from left to right across a period and decreases down a group. This trend is due to changes in atomic size, nuclear charge, and electron shielding, all of which are reflected in the periodic table's organization.
45. How does the Modern Periodic Table reflect the concept of quantum numbers?
The periodic table's structure reflects the four quantum numbers. The principal quantum number (n) corresponds to the period number, while the angular momentum quantum number (l) is reflected in the block structure (s, p, d, f).
46. What is electron affinity and how does it vary in the periodic table?
Electron affinity is the energy released when an atom gains an electron. It generally increases from left to right across a period and decreases down a group, with some exceptions due to electron configurations.
47. What are period trends and how do they differ from group trends?
Period trends are patterns in element properties across a row of the periodic table, while group trends are patterns down a column. Period trends often show more variation due to changing electron configurations, while group trends are more consistent due to similar outer electron structures.
48. How does the Modern Periodic Table help in predicting the acid-base behavior of elements?
The position of an element in the Modern Periodic Table can indicate its acid-base behavior. Generally, metals on the left form basic oxides, while non-metals on the right form acidic oxides. Elements in the middle may form amphoteric oxides.
49. What is the significance of diagonal relationships in the periodic table?
Diagonal relationships refer to similarities in properties between certain elements diagonally adjacent in the periodic table (e.g., Li and Mg, Be and Al). These similarities arise from a balance between size and charge effects.
50. What is the relationship between an element's position in the periodic table and its atomic radius?
Atomic radius generally decreases from left to right across a period due to increasing nuclear charge, and increases down a group due to additional electron shells. The periodic table visually represents these trends.
51. What is the relationship between an element's position in the periodic table and its metallic character?
Metallic character generally increases from right to left across a period and from top to bottom down a group. This trend is reflected in the arrangement of metals, metalloids, and non-metals in the periodic table.
52. What is the relationship between an element's position in the periodic table and its ability to form covalent bonds?
Elements on the right side of the periodic table (non-metals) are more likely to form covalent bonds due to their high electronegativity and tendency to share electrons. The periodic table helps predict bonding behavior based on element positions.
53. How does the Modern Periodic Table help in understanding the concept of electron affinity?
The periodic table shows trends in electron affinity, which generally increases from left to right across a period and decreases down a group (with some exceptions). These trends are related to atomic size and electron configuration.
54. What is the significance of the representative elements in the periodic table?
Representative elements, found in groups 1-2 and 13-18, have their valence electrons in s and p orbitals. Their position in the table helps predict their properties and reactivity based on their outer electron configuration.
55. What is the relationship between an element's position in the periodic table and its ability to form metallic bonds?
Elements on the left and center of the periodic table (metals) are more likely to form metallic bonds. Their position indicates lower electronegativity and fewer valence electrons, promoting the sharing of electrons in a "sea" characteristic of metallic bonding.

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