The Modern Periodic Table is a fundamental pillar of chemistry, shaped by centuries of scientific advancement. Through the collaborative contributions of researchers around the world, it offers a structured method for understanding elemental properties. Unlike earlier versions, this table is organized by atomic number—the number of protons in an atom’s nucleus—which directly defines an element and its behavior. This organization not only simplifies classification but also uncovers significant patterns and trends, which fuel theoretical progress and practical applications. Despite undergoing refinements over time, the modern periodic table remains an indispensable tool for chemists, educators, and students, enabling in-depth exploration of elements and their unique characteristics.
In this article, we’ll explore important facets of the modern periodic table, including “magic numbers,” its long-form structure, and other key aspects. This topic falls under the broader theme of the “Classification of Elements and the Periodic Table,” central to Class 11 chemistry. It’s highly relevant not only for board exams but also for competitive tests like JEE Main, NEET, SRMJEE, BITSAT, WBJEE, BCECE, and others. Over the past decade, NEET has featured questions on this topic, with one appearing in the 2021 exam.
Let’s dive deeper into the modern periodic table, understand its core principles, and work through related problems to strengthen your grasp of the topic.
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Modern Periodic Table (modified Mendeleev Periodic Table) :
Moseley proposed it.
The modern periodic table is based on the atomic number.
Moseley did an experiment in which he bombarded high-speed electrons on different metal surfaces and obtained X-rays.
He found out that
where v = frequency of X-rays, Z = atomic number.
Modern periodic law: The physical & chemical properties of elements are the periodic function of their atomic number.
Characteristics of Modern Periodic Table:
18 vertical columns called groups.
IA to VIIA group, IB to VIIB, and zero group of inert gases.
Inert gases were introduced in the periodic table by Ramsay.
7 horizontal series called periods.
Magic Number
The magic number of neutrons is the number of neutrons that are present in stable isotopes (non-radioactive). These magic numbers are 2, 8, 20, 28, 50, 82, 126, and 184.
(It is also called as 'Bohr, Bury & Rang, Werner Periodic Table)
It is based on the Bohr-Bury electronic configuration concept and atomic number.
This model is proposed by Rang & Werner
7 periods and 18 vertical columns (groups)
According to I. U. P. A. C. 18 vertical columns are named as Ist to 18th group.
Elements belonging to the same group have the same number of electrons in the outermost shell so their properties are similar.
Elements in Period 2—lithium (Li), beryllium (Be), and boron (B)—exhibit a distinctive diagonal relationship with certain Period 3 elements (magnesium, aluminum, and silicon). Often called bridge elements, they share chemical traits because their ionic potentials (charge-to-radius ratio) are quite similar—especially notable in the Li–Mg pair, which parallels in charge density and bonding behavior.
The last stable noble gas in the periodic table is radon (Rn), with atomic number 86
Gaseous (11 total): Hydrogen (H), nitrogen (N), oxygen (O), fluorine (F), chlorine (Cl), and the six noble gases—helium (He), neon (Ne), argon (Ar), krypton (Kr), xenon (Xe), and radon (Rn).
Liquids: Only bromine (Br) and mercury (Hg) are naturally liquid at room temperature, with bromine being the lone nonmetal in this category
Solids: All remaining known elements are solids under normal conditions.
Recommended topic video on (Modern Periodic Table):
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Example 1: The period number in the long form of the periodic table is equal to:
1) Maximum azimuthal quantum number of any element of the period
2) The atomic number of any element of the period
3) Magnetic quantum number of any element of the period
4) Maximum principal quantum number of any element of the period
Solution: The period number in the periodic table corresponds to the principal quantum number of the outermost shell of elements.
Hence, the answer is the option (4).
Example 2: The similarity in chemical properties of the atoms of elements in a group of the Periodic table is most closely related to :
1) atomic numbers
2) atomic masses
3) number of principal energy levels
4) number of valence electrons
Solution: Modern periodic law -
The physical and chemical properties of elements are periodic functions of their atomic number.
Elements that are in the same group, most of the time, have the same number of valence electrons. The number of valence electrons is directly related to the chemical properties of elements.
Hence, the answer is an option (4).
Example 3: According to the periodic law of elements, the variation in properties of elements is related to their
1) atomic masses
2) nuclear masses
3) atomic numbers
4) nuclear neutron-proton number ratios.
Solution: The physical and chemical properties of elements are periodic functions of their atomic number.
Hence, the answer is the option(3).
Example 4: Which one of these is a magic number?
1) 2
2) 8
3) 18
4) 32
Solution: The magic number of neutrons is those present in stable isotopes (non-radioactive). These magic numbers are 2, 28, 20, 28, 50, 82, 126, and 184.
Therefore, 2 is a magic number.
Hence, the answer is the option (1).
Practice more Questions from the link given below:
Modern Periodic Table -Practice questions and MCQs |
Electronic Configuration In Periods And Groups -Practice questions and MCQs |
The modern Periodic Table represents a monumental breakthrough in chemistry, emerging from centuries of investigation aimed at decoding the fabric of matter. Early practitioners, like alchemists, began by isolating and characterizing substances through observation and rudimentary experimentation. Over time, their collective efforts—including systematic theories, atomic structure insights, and predictive arrangements—culminated in a well-ordered system that reveals how elements interact and transform.
From Mendeleev’s pioneering table in 1869, which arranged 63 known elements by atomic weight and predicted the existence of undiscovered ones, to today's sophisticated layout based on atomic number, the Periodic Table has evolved continuously. This evolution has far-reaching practical impact—beyond theoretical chemistry, it guides innovation across industries like electronics, pharmaceuticals, and environmental science .
It is called the periodic table because of the way the elements are arranged. You'll notice they're in rows and columns. The horizontal rows (which go from left to right) are called 'periods' and the vertical columns (going from up to down) are called 'groups'.
Atomic number. The elements are listed in the Modern Periodic Table according to their atomic number rather than their relative atomic mass. The elements are grouped in the periodic table into rows, termed periods, in order of increasing atomic number. Vertical columns, referred to as groups, in which the elements share comparable characteristics of the Modern Periodic Table.
1. It's based on the atomic number of the elements.
2. The number of valence shells in each period is the same.
3. From left to right, the metallic characteristic decreases.
4. The number of valence electrons in a group is the same.
1. Hydrogen's position is unsatisfactory because its features in Modern Periodic Table are similar to those of both Group 1 and Group 17.
2. Isotopes do not have their own position.
3. Its primary body is unable to accommodate inner transition elements (Lanthanides and Actinides).
Ans: Groups are numbered one to eighteen. The s-block, or hydrogen block, of the periodic table contains two groups (1 and 2) of elements; the d-block, or transition block, contains ten groups (3 through 12); and the p-block, or main block, contains six groups (13 through 18).
There are seven periods (rows) and 18 groups (columns) in the current standard periodic table
These blocks correspond to the type of atomic orbital being filled:
s-block: Groups 1–2
p-block: Groups 13–18
d-block: Transition metals (Groups 3–12)
f-block: Lanthanides and actinides
The table is ordered by atomic number—the count of protons in each element’s nucleus—unlike earlier versions which used atomic mass .
The periodic table's structure reflects quantum mechanical principles by organizing elements based on their electron configurations. The periods correspond to principal quantum numbers, while the blocks (s, p, d, f) represent the type of subshell being filled.
The periodic table is divided into four blocks: s, p, d, and f. These blocks represent the type of subshell that is being filled with electrons in each element. The s-block contains groups 1 and 2, the p-block contains groups 13-18, the d-block contains the transition elements, and the f-block contains the lanthanides and actinides.
Isobars are atoms of different elements with the same mass number (total number of protons and neutrons). They are not specifically represented in the periodic table but can be identified by looking at elements with the same mass number in different positions on the table.
Isotopes are atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons. They are not explicitly shown in the periodic table, but the atomic mass listed for each element is an average of its naturally occurring isotopes' masses, weighted by their relative abundances.
The "island of stability" refers to a hypothetical cluster of superheavy elements that are predicted to be relatively stable compared to other superheavy elements. This concept extends our understanding of the periodic table beyond currently known elements and challenges our ideas about nuclear stability.
The periodic table's shape reflects the electron configuration of elements. The number of columns (groups) corresponds to the number of electrons in the outermost shell, while rows (periods) represent new electron shells. This arrangement allows for the periodic repetition of chemical properties.
An element's position is determined primarily by its atomic number (number of protons) and electron configuration. The period (row) is determined by the highest occupied electron shell, while the group (column) is determined by the number of valence electrons.
Elements in the same group have similar chemical properties due to having the same number of valence electrons. They often form similar compounds and react in similar ways, though reactivity can vary down the group due to increasing atomic size and shielding effects.
Periods are the horizontal rows in the periodic table. Each period represents a new electron shell being filled. As you move across a period, elements generally become less metallic and more non-metallic, with noble gases at the end of each period.
Transition elements are located in the d-block of the periodic table, between groups 2 and 13. They are characterized by partially filled d-orbitals, which give them unique properties such as multiple oxidation states and the ability to form colored compounds.
The modern periodic table is a systematic arrangement of chemical elements based on their atomic number and electron configuration. It differs from earlier versions like Mendeleev's table by organizing elements strictly by atomic number rather than atomic mass, and by incorporating our understanding of electron shells and subshells.
Lanthanides and actinides, also known as f-block elements, are separated to keep the table more compact. These elements have very similar properties within each series due to the filling of f-orbitals, which are less involved in chemical bonding.
Noble gases, located in Group 18, have full outer electron shells, making them extremely stable and unreactive. They serve as a reference point for understanding electron configurations and chemical bonding, and their position at the end of each period marks the completion of an electron shell.
Some elements may seem out of place due to electron configuration anomalies. For example, copper and chromium have one electron in their outermost s-orbital instead of two, due to the stability gained from having a half-filled or fully-filled d-subshell.
The periodic table's arrangement allows for the prediction of chemical behavior based on an element's position. Elements in the same group often have similar reactivity, while trends across periods and down groups can predict properties like atomic size, ionization energy, and electronegativity.
The octet rule states that atoms tend to gain, lose, or share electrons to achieve a full outer shell of eight electrons (like noble gases). This rule is particularly relevant for elements in the s and p blocks, and helps explain chemical bonding and reactivity trends across the periodic table.
The periodic table provides information about valence electrons, electronegativity, and atomic size, all of which are crucial in predicting chemical bonding. Elements on the left tend to lose electrons (forming ionic bonds), while those on the right tend to gain or share electrons (forming covalent bonds).
Hund's rule states that electrons in an atom will occupy orbitals of the same energy individually before pairing up. This is reflected in the electron configurations of elements across the periodic table, particularly in transition elements where d-orbitals are being filled.
The periodic table, particularly the d-block (transition elements), helps predict magnetic properties based on electron configuration. Elements with unpaired electrons in their d-orbitals are often paramagnetic or ferromagnetic, while those with fully paired electrons are typically diamagnetic.
While hybridization is not explicitly shown in the periodic table, an element's position can suggest likely hybridization states. For example, carbon (Group 14) is known for its ability to form sp, sp2, and sp3 hybrid orbitals, which is crucial for understanding its diverse chemistry and role in organic compounds.
The diagonal relationship between lithium and magnesium is an example of how elements in different groups can have similar properties. This similarity arises from a balance between atomic size and charge density. Understanding such relationships helps predict chemical behavior and explains exceptions to general periodic trends.
Atomic radius generally decreases across a period due to increasing nuclear charge and electron-electron repulsion. It increases down a group due to the addition of new electron shells, despite the increase in nuclear charge.
Isoelectronic species are atoms or ions with the same number of electrons but different nuclear charges. They often have similar properties and can be found by moving diagonally across the periodic table, adjusting for gained or lost electrons.
Electronegativity generally increases from left to right across a period and decreases down a group. This is due to increasing effective nuclear charge across a period and increasing atomic size down a group, which affects an atom's ability to attract electrons.
Metalloids are elements with properties intermediate between metals and non-metals. They are found along the "staircase" line separating metals and non-metals, including elements like boron, silicon, germanium, arsenic, antimony, and tellurium.
Ionization energy generally increases from left to right across a period and decreases down a group. This trend is due to increasing effective nuclear charge across a period and increasing atomic size down a group, which affects how tightly electrons are held.
Valence electrons are the electrons in an atom's outermost shell, which are involved in chemical bonding. The number of valence electrons determines an element's group in the periodic table, with elements in the same group having the same number of valence electrons.
Group 1 elements, the alkali metals, have one valence electron in their outermost s-orbital. This makes them highly reactive, as they readily lose this electron to form +1 ions. Their reactivity increases down the group due to increasing atomic size and decreasing ionization energy.
Electron affinity generally increases from left to right across a period and decreases down a group. This trend is similar to electronegativity, as both properties relate to an atom's ability to attract electrons.
Atomic size influences many properties, including ionization energy, electron affinity, and reactivity. Larger atoms generally have lower ionization energies and electron affinities, and are often more reactive due to their valence electrons being further from the nucleus and less tightly held.
As you move down Group 17 (halogens), reactivity decreases due to increasing atomic size and decreasing electronegativity. The physical state changes from gas to liquid to solid, and the color intensity increases. However, all halogens still tend to form -1 ions due to their seven valence electrons.
For main group elements (s and p blocks), the group number corresponds to the number of valence electrons. For example, Group 1 elements have one valence electron, Group 2 have two, and so on. For transition elements (d block), the relationship is not as straightforward due to the filling of d-orbitals.
Metallic character generally decreases from left to right across a period and increases down a group. This is due to the decreasing tendency to lose electrons across a period (increasing electronegativity) and the increasing atomic size down a group, which makes electron loss easier.
The Aufbau principle describes the order in which electrons fill orbitals in an atom. The periodic table's structure reflects this principle, with elements arranged according to their electron configurations. As you move across periods, electrons fill progressively higher energy subshells.
Diagonal relationships occur between certain elements in different groups but adjacent periods (e.g., Li and Mg, Be and Al). These elements often have similar properties due to a balance between atomic size and nuclear charge, despite being in different groups.
The periodic table provides information about valence electrons and common oxidation states, which helps predict the formulas of compounds. For example, Group 1 elements typically form +1 ions, while Group 17 elements form -1 ions, leading to compounds like NaCl.
The Pauli exclusion principle states that no two electrons in an atom can have the same set of quantum numbers. This principle is reflected in the periodic table's structure, where each element represents a unique electron configuration, with electrons filling available orbitals according to specific rules.
An element's period number corresponds to its highest occupied principal quantum number (n). For example, elements in the second period have electrons in the n=2 shell, those in the third period have electrons up to the n=3 shell, and so on.
The periodic table provides information about elements' tendencies to gain or lose electrons. Elements on the left (especially alkali metals) tend to be strong reducing agents, easily losing electrons. Elements on the right (especially halogens) tend to be strong oxidizing agents, readily gaining electrons.
The periodic table organizes elements based on their electron configurations, which directly relate to their atomic spectra. Elements in the same group often have similar spectral patterns due to similar valence electron arrangements, while the complexity of spectra generally increases across periods.
First ionization energy generally increases from left to right across a period due to increasing nuclear charge and decreasing atomic size. It generally decreases down a group due to increasing atomic size and electron shielding, despite increasing nuclear charge.
Effective nuclear charge increases from left to right across a period due to increasing nuclear charge and incomplete shielding by inner electrons. This trend is reflected in various periodic properties like atomic size, ionization energy, and electronegativity.
The actinide contraction refers to the smaller-than-expected increase in atomic radius from the 5d to 6d transition elements. This is due to the poor shielding effect of f-electrons in the preceding actinide series, leading to increased effective nuclear charge and smaller atomic sizes for post-actinide elements.
The periodic table's arrangement allows for easy visualization of reactivity trends. Generally, reactivity increases down Group 1 (alkali metals) and up Group 17 (halogens) due to trends in ionization energy and electron affinity. These trends can be explained by changes in atomic size and effective nuclear charge.
An element's position in the periodic table often correlates with its most common oxidation states. For main group elements, the group number often indicates the maximum positive oxidation state (e.g., Group 14 elements like carbon can have a +4 state). For transition metals, the situation is more complex due to partially filled d-orbitals.
Electron shielding, where inner electrons partially shield outer electrons from the nuclear charge, is reflected in various periodic trends. For example, the increase in atomic size down a group, despite increasing nuclear charge, is due to the shielding effect of additional electron shells.
The lanthanide contraction refers to the smaller-than-expected atomic and ionic radii of elements following the lanthanide series. This contraction affects the properties of elements in the 6th and 7th periods, leading to similarities between 4d and 5d elements that might not otherwise be expected.
Moseley's law relates an element's X-ray spectrum to its atomic number, providing a physical basis for the ordering of elements in the periodic table. This law helped resolve discrepancies in earlier versions of the table and confirmed that atomic number, not atomic mass, is the fundamental organizing principle.
Electron affinity generally increases from left to right across a period (with some exceptions) due to increasing effective nuclear charge. It generally decreases down a group due to increasing atomic size. Noble gases have very low electron affinities due to their stable electron configurations.
The periodic table visually represents electronegativity trends. Electronegativity generally increases from left to right across a period and decreases down a group. This trend is due to changes in atomic size and effective nuclear charge, which affect an atom's ability to attract electrons in a chemical bond.
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