Question

Why is it useful for scientists to know trends of the Periodic Table?

Answer 1

Periodic trends are useful for scientist as they provide specific pattern for specific properties of elements in periodic table like atomic radius,electronegativity, electron affinity, metallic character etc. These generally arise due to the electronic configuration of elements. Some of these trends are:

Atomic radius : Atomic radius decreases across the period from left to right due to increase in nuclear charge and increases down the group due to decrease in nuclear charge.

Electronegativity: Generally electronegativity increases across the period from left to right and decreases from top to bottom.

Electron Affinity: Electroni Affinity increases across the period from left to right due to decrease in atomic radius and decreases from top to bottom due to increase in atomic radius.

Metallic Character: Metallic Character decreasea across the period from left to right due to decrease in atomic radius and increases down the group due to increase atomic radius.