The arrangement ofthe periodic table by atomic number and its ordering into groups and periods give rise to observable trends and properties that we can understand in terms of their electronic configuration.
After working through this topic you will be able to:
- describe trends in atomic radius, ionisation energy and electronegativity down groups and across periods;
- consider methods to use ionisation energy data to evaluate atomic models;
- evaluate the common misconception of the stability of half filled orbitals;
- use an experiment to explore density trends in the periodic table ; and
- understand the concept of scaffolding to use in your own classroom teaching.