Periodic Table – Long
Summary
The Periodic Table is a systematic
arrangement of all known chemical
elements in order of increasing atomic
number. It was first proposed by Dmitri
Mendeleev and later modified into the
modern periodic table based on atomic
numbers rather than atomic masses.
Modern Periodic Law
The physical and chemical properties of
elements are periodic functions of their
atomic numbers. This means that when
elements are arranged in increasing atomic
number, similar properties repeat at regular
intervals.
Structure of the Periodic
Table
The periodic table consists of 7 horizontal
rows called periods and 18 vertical
columns called groups.
Periods
There are 7 periods.
Each period corresponds to the number
of electron shells in the atoms.
As we move from left to right in a period:
o Atomic number increases
o Atomic size decreases
o Metallic character decreases
o Non-metallic character increases
Groups
There are 18 groups.
Elements in the same group have:
o Same number of valence electrons
o Similar chemical properties
Important groups include:
o Group 1 – Alkali metals
o Group 2 – Alkaline earth metals
o Group 17 – Halogens
o Group 18 – Noble gases
Classification of Elements
1. Metals
Found on the left and center of the
table
Good conductors of heat and electricity
Malleable and ductile
Example: Iron, Copper, Sodium
2. Non-metals
Found on the right side
Poor conductors
Brittle (if solid)
Example: Oxygen, Nitrogen, Sulfur
3. Metalloids
Show properties of both metals and non-
metals
Found along the zig-zag line
Example: Silicon, Boron
Blocks of the Periodic Table
The periodic table is divided into four
blocks based on the orbital in which the last
electron enters:
1. s-block – Groups 1 & 2
2. p-block – Groups 13 to 18
3. d-block – Transition metals (Groups
3 to 12)
4. f-block – Inner transition elements
(Lanthanides and Actinides)
Special Groups
Noble Gases (Group 18)
Chemically inert
Have completely filled valence shells
Exist as monoatomic gases
Halogens (Group 17)
Highly reactive non-metals
Form salts with metals
Lanthanides and Actinides
Placed separately at the bottom
Actinides include radioactive elements
Importance of the Periodic
Table
Helps predict properties of elements
Shows relationships among elements
Useful in studying chemical reactions
Helps in discovering new elements
Aspect Details
The periodic table is a systematic
arrangement of all chemical elements
in increasing order of their atomic
Definition
numbers, such that elements with
similar properties occur at regular
intervals.
The physical and chemical properties of
Modern
elements are periodic functions of
Periodic Law
their atomic numbers.
Aspect Details
Dmitri Mendeleev proposed the periodic
Scientist table; Henry Moseley modified it based
on atomic number.
Basis of
Atomic number (number of protons)
Arrangement
Periods 7 horizontal rows called periods
Groups 18 vertical columns called groups
Periods Number of periods = number of
Significance electron shells
Groups Elements in a group have the same
Significance number of valence electrons
Located on the left and center; good
Metals
conductors; malleable and ductile
Located on the right; poor conductors;
Non-metals
brittle
Located along zig-zag line; show mixed
Metalloids
properties
s-Block
Groups 1 and 2; highly reactive metals
Elements
p-Block Groups 13 to 18; include metals, non-
Elements metals, and metalloids
d-Block Groups 3 to 12; called transition
Elements metals
f-Block Lanthanides and Actinides; placed
Elements separately at bottom
Group 1; very reactive; form basic
Alkali Metals
oxides
Alkaline
Group 2; reactive metals
Earth Metals
Halogens Group 17; highly reactive non-metals
Group 18; inert gases with filled
Noble Gases
valence shells
Atomic Size Decreases across a period, increases
Trend down a group
Aspect Details
Metallic Decreases across a period, increases
Character down a group
Helps predict properties, study trends,
Importance
and understand chemical behavior
🧠 1. GROUP MEMORY TRICKS (Most
Important)
Group 1 – Alkali Metals
Li Na K Rb Cs Fr
👉 Trick: “Little Naughty Kids Rub Cats Fur”
Group 2 – Alkaline Earth Metals
Be Mg Ca Sr Ba Ra
👉 Trick: “Be My Cute Sweet Baby Right”
Group 17 – Halogens
F Cl Br I At
👉 Trick: “Funny Clever Brothers In Attic”
Group 18 – Noble Gases
He Ne Ar Kr Xe Rn
👉 Trick: “He Never Argues, Krish Explains Rules”
🧩 2. BLOCK TRICK (s, p, d, f)
👉 “Small People Dance Fast”
s-block → Groups 1–2
p-block → Groups 13–18
d-block → Groups 3–12
f-block → Lanthanides & Actinides
📉 3. TREND TRICK (Very Exam-
Friendly)
Across a Period (→)
👉 “Size ↓, Metallic ↓, Reactivity ↓ (for metals)”
Down a Group (↓)
👉 “Size ↑, Metallic ↑, Reactivity ↑ (for metals)”
Think:
⬇️Down = More shells
➡️Across = Tighter pull
⚡ 4. VALENCE ELECTRONS TRICK
👉 Group number = Valence electrons (for main
groups)
Group Valence e⁻
1 1
2 2
13 3
14 4
15 5
16 6
17 7
18 8 (except He = 2)
✍️5. 10-MINUTE REVISION METHOD
1. Draw only group 1, 2, 17, 18
2. Write one trend per group
3. Recite mnemonics loudly
4. Close book → rewrite from memory
Do this twice a day = solid grip 💪
🎯 6. ONE-LINE EXAM TRICK
If confused in MCQs:
👉 Higher group number (right side) = more non-
metallic
👉 Lower group number (left side) = more metallic
