Periodic Trends Flashcards: Atomic Radius, Ionization Energy & Electronegativity

Review 88 concise cards on atomic and ionic radius, shielding, effective nuclear charge, ionization energy, electron affinity, electronegativity, metallic character, exceptions, and comparisons.

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Periodic Trends Flashcards: Atomic Radius, Ionization Energy & Electronegativity

Study the core periodic trends with 88 independently written English flashcards for high-school and introductory-college chemistry. The deck separates broad patterns from the reasons behind them and uses generally where real configurations create exceptions.

What the cards practice

The sequence covers four useful recall paths: term to definition; table movement to a general property direction; cause to effect through shell number, shielding, distance, and effective nuclear charge; and a concrete pair or isoelectronic set to the expected comparison. Atomic and ionic radius, first and successive ionization energies, electron affinity, electronegativity, metallic character, and selected reactivity links are all included.

The course-level exceptions are deliberately small: Be versus B, Mg versus Al, N versus O, P versus S, and Cl versus F electron affinity. Electron-affinity wording distinguishes a favorable electron gain from the sign convention used by a source. Electronegativity stays tied to bonded atoms, and ionic-radius comparisons state when an isoelectronic rule applies.

Learning order

Definitions and table structure come first. General directions follow, then causal models, ion-size rules, successive-ionization reasoning, limited exceptions, and applied comparisons. Related prompts are spaced apart in a fixed order; the review scheduler handles longer-term interleaving after installation.

Scope

This deck teaches qualitative periodic-trend reasoning. It excludes exact numerical property tables, memorizing values for all 118 elements, advanced transition-metal irregularities, diagonal relationships, melting and boiling trends, broad group trivia, and copied examination or competitor material. It supports chemistry practice but does not replace calculation, laboratory, or full-course problem solving.

Sources and license

Core trends and explanations were checked against OpenStax Chemistry: Atoms First 2e, section 3.5 and its electronegativity discussion in section 4.2. Terminology was cross-checked against the IUPAC Gold Book entries for ionization energy, electron affinity, and electronegativity.

The prompts, answers, examples, organization, metadata, and generated cover were created independently from common chemistry knowledge and original work. No protected cards, textbook prose, source figures, exact property tables, logos, or third-party media were copied.

The Common knowledge · CC0 1.0 label applies only to the original prompts, answers, examples, organization, metadata, and cover, to the extent applicable rights exist. It does not claim ownership of scientific facts or third-party material.

Source review date: August 29, 2026.

Карточки в этой колоде

  1. Карточка 1

    Вопрос

    What is a periodic trend?

    Ответ

    A recurring pattern in element properties as atomic number increases across periods and down groups.

  2. Карточка 2

    Вопрос

    What does covalent radius measure?

    Ответ

    Half the distance between the nuclei of two identical atoms joined by a covalent bond.

  3. Карточка 3

    Вопрос

    What is first ionization energy?

    Ответ

    The minimum energy needed to remove the most loosely bound electron from an isolated gaseous atom in its ground state.

  4. Карточка 4

    Вопрос

    What is electronegativity?

    Ответ

    An atom's ability to attract shared electrons toward itself in a chemical bond.

  5. Карточка 5

    Вопрос

    What is a period on the periodic table?

    Ответ

    A horizontal row. For main-group elements, moving across a period fills orbitals in the same principal electron shell.

  6. Карточка 6

    Вопрос

    What is ionic radius?

    Ответ

    A measure of an ion's size, usually inferred from distances between ions in crystals.

  7. Карточка 7

    Вопрос

    What does electron affinity describe?

    Ответ

    The energy change when an electron is added to an isolated gaseous atom to form a gaseous anion.

  8. Карточка 8

    Вопрос

    What does metallic character describe?

    Ответ

    How readily an element shows metallic behavior, especially losing valence electrons and forming cations.

  9. Карточка 9

    Вопрос

    What is a group on the periodic table?

    Ответ

    A vertical column. Main-group elements in one group usually share a valence-electron pattern and similar chemistry.

  10. Карточка 10

    Вопрос

    What is effective nuclear charge?

    Ответ

    The net positive pull an electron feels from the nucleus after shielding and electron–electron repulsion are taken into account.

  11. Карточка 11

    Вопрос

    What are successive ionization energies?

    Ответ

    The energies needed to remove electrons one after another from the same atom, then from its increasingly positive ions.

  12. Карточка 12

    Вопрос

    How does electronegativity difference relate to bond polarity?

    Ответ

    A larger difference generally produces a more uneven electron distribution and a more polar bond.

  13. Карточка 13

    Вопрос

    Why do main-group elements in one group often behave similarly?

    Ответ

    They have the same general number and arrangement of valence electrons, which drive much of their bonding and reactivity.

  14. Карточка 14

    Вопрос

    What is electron shielding?

    Ответ

    The reduction in nuclear attraction felt by an electron because other electrons lie between it and the nucleus and repel it.

  15. Карточка 15

    Вопрос

    Why does the definition of ionization energy specify a gaseous atom?

    Ответ

    It isolates the atom from bonding and intermolecular effects, so the energy reflects electron removal from that species itself.

  16. Карточка 16

    Вопрос

    Where are metals and nonmetals generally found on the periodic table?

    Ответ

    Metals occupy the left and center; nonmetals cluster toward the upper right, with metalloids near the boundary.

  17. Карточка 17

    Вопрос

    What changes in the electron arrangement across a main-group period?

    Ответ

    Electrons are added to the same principal shell while the nucleus gains one proton from one element to the next.

  18. Карточка 18

    Вопрос

    How does atomic radius generally change from left to right across a period?

    Ответ

    It decreases.

  19. Карточка 19

    Вопрос

    How does first ionization energy generally change from left to right across a period?

    Ответ

    It increases, although a few recurring subshell and electron-pairing exceptions interrupt the rise.

  20. Карточка 20

    Вопрос

    How does electronegativity generally change from left to right across a period?

    Ответ

    It increases for the elements normally assigned electronegativity values.

  21. Карточка 21

    Вопрос

    What changes in the electron arrangement down a main-group group?

    Ответ

    Each step adds a higher principal electron shell while preserving a similar valence-electron pattern.

  22. Карточка 22

    Вопрос

    How does atomic radius generally change down a group?

    Ответ

    It increases.

  23. Карточка 23

    Вопрос

    How does first ionization energy generally change down a group?

    Ответ

    It decreases.

  24. Карточка 24

    Вопрос

    How does electronegativity generally change down a group?

    Ответ

    It decreases.

  25. Карточка 25

    Вопрос

    How does effective nuclear charge generally change across a main-group period?

    Ответ

    It increases because nuclear charge rises while added electrons enter the same principal shell and do not fully shield one another.

  26. Карточка 26

    Вопрос

    How does a cation's radius compare with its neutral parent atom?

    Ответ

    The cation is smaller.

  27. Карточка 27

    Вопрос

    How does electron addition generally change across a period?

    Ответ

    It generally becomes more energetically favorable toward the right, but electron affinity has substantial exceptions and depends on the sign convention used.

  28. Карточка 28

    Вопрос

    How does metallic character generally change from left to right across a period?

    Ответ

    It decreases.

  29. Карточка 29

    Вопрос

    Why are valence electrons generally farther from the nucleus down a group?

    Ответ

    They occupy shells with higher principal quantum numbers, so the electron cloud extends farther outward.

  30. Карточка 30

    Вопрос

    How does an anion's radius compare with its neutral parent atom?

    Ответ

    The anion is larger.

  31. Карточка 31

    Вопрос

    How does favorable electron addition generally change down a group?

    Ответ

    It generally becomes less favorable as the added electron enters a larger, more shielded shell, though electron-affinity irregularities are common.

  32. Карточка 32

    Вопрос

    How does metallic character generally change down a group?

    Ответ

    It increases.

  33. Карточка 33

    Вопрос

    Why does shielding change less than nuclear charge across a main-group period?

    Ответ

    The added electrons enter the same principal shell, so they do not shield one another as effectively as inner-shell electrons do.

  34. Карточка 34

    Вопрос

    Which has the larger atomic radius, Li or Na?

    Ответ

    Na. It lies below Li and has an additional occupied electron shell.

  35. Карточка 35

    Вопрос

    Which has the larger atomic radius, Na or Mg?

    Ответ

    Na. Atomic radius generally decreases from left to right across Period 3.

  36. Карточка 36

    Вопрос

    How does greater electron–nucleus distance affect electrostatic attraction?

    Ответ

    It weakens the attraction, all else being equal.

  37. Карточка 37

    Вопрос

    How do successive ionization energies for one element compare?

    Ответ

    Each successive ionization energy is higher than the one before it because an electron is removed from an increasingly positive species.

  38. Карточка 38

    Вопрос

    Which has the higher first ionization energy, Li or Na?

    Ответ

    Li. Its valence electron is closer to the nucleus and less shielded.

  39. Карточка 39

    Вопрос

    Which has the higher first ionization energy, Na or Mg?

    Ответ

    Mg. Its greater effective nuclear charge holds the valence electrons more tightly.

  40. Карточка 40

    Вопрос

    Why does forming a cation usually shrink an atom?

    Ответ

    Electron loss reduces electron–electron repulsion and increases the nuclear pull per remaining electron; losing the outer shell can shrink it sharply.

  41. Карточка 41

    Вопрос

    Which element is most electronegative on the Pauling scale?

    Ответ

    Fluorine.

  42. Карточка 42

    Вопрос

    Which is more electronegative, Li or Na?

    Ответ

    Li. Electronegativity generally decreases down Group 1.

  43. Карточка 43

    Вопрос

    Which is more electronegative, Na or Mg?

    Ответ

    Mg. Electronegativity generally increases across Period 3.

  44. Карточка 44

    Вопрос

    What does a large jump between successive ionization energies reveal?

    Ответ

    The next electron would come from a lower, core shell; the number removed before the jump indicates the valence-electron count for a main-group atom.

  45. Карточка 45

    Вопрос

    Why is Cl⁻ larger than neutral Cl?

    Ответ

    The added electron increases repulsion within the valence shell while the nuclear charge stays the same.

  46. Карточка 46

    Вопрос

    How do you compare the radii of isoelectronic species?

    Ответ

    The species with more protons is smaller because the same number of electrons feels a stronger nuclear attraction.

  47. Карточка 47

    Вопрос

    Why does an atom have no single sharp physical radius?

    Ответ

    Its electron cloud has no hard edge, so atomic size depends on a defined measurement such as covalent, metallic, or van der Waals radius.

  48. Карточка 48

    Вопрос

    Why are noble-gas electronegativities often omitted in introductory tables?

    Ответ

    Electronegativity describes attraction in a bond, and many noble gases form too few ordinary bonds for a standard value to be useful on common scales.

  49. Карточка 49

    Вопрос

    Why does forming an anion usually expand an atom?

    Ответ

    The extra electron increases electron–electron repulsion and lowers the nuclear pull available per electron.

  50. Карточка 50

    Вопрос

    Order O²⁻, F⁻, and Ne from largest to smallest radius.

    Ответ

    O²⁻ > F⁻ > Ne. All have 10 electrons, and increasing proton count pulls that electron cloud inward.

  51. Карточка 51

    Вопрос

    After which removal does Na show its first large ionization-energy jump?

    Ответ

    After the first electron. Removing one valence electron leaves a stable core, so the second removal reaches that core.

  52. Карточка 52

    Вопрос

    Does electronegativity difference create a universal ionic-versus-covalent cutoff?

    Ответ

    No. A larger difference usually means more bond polarity, but bonding lies on a continuum and context matters.

  53. Карточка 53

    Вопрос

    How do noble gases generally differ from halogens in electron affinity?

    Ответ

    Adding an electron to a noble gas is generally unfavorable because it must begin a higher-energy shell; halogens usually gain one much more favorably.

  54. Карточка 54

    Вопрос

    Which is smaller, Na⁺ or Mg²⁺?

    Ответ

    Mg²⁺. Both have 10 electrons, but Mg²⁺ has one more proton.

  55. Карточка 55

    Вопрос

    After which removal does Mg show its first large ionization-energy jump?

    Ответ

    After the second electron. Mg has two valence electrons, so the third removal reaches a core shell.

  56. Карточка 56

    Вопрос

    How does electronegativity differ from electron affinity?

    Ответ

    Electronegativity is a relative measure of attraction for shared electrons in a bond; electron affinity is an energy change for adding an electron to an isolated gaseous species.

  57. Карточка 57

    Вопрос

    How are atomic radius and first ionization energy generally related?

    Ответ

    A larger radius usually means a lower first ionization energy because the valence electron is farther from the nucleus and easier to remove.

  58. Карточка 58

    Вопрос

    Which has the more exothermic first electron affinity, F or Cl?

    Ответ

    Cl. Fluorine's very compact 2p shell creates stronger electron–electron repulsion for the incoming electron, so this pair breaks the simple down-group expectation.

  59. Карточка 59

    Вопрос

    Which has the higher first ionization energy, Be or B?

    Ответ

    Be. B loses a higher-energy 2p electron, while Be loses a more penetrating 2s electron from a filled 2s subshell.

  60. Карточка 60

    Вопрос

    Why does Group 1 metal reactivity generally increase down the group?

    Ответ

    The valence electron is farther out and more shielded, so its first ionization energy falls and electron loss becomes easier.

  61. Карточка 61

    Вопрос

    How are atomic radius and electronegativity generally related?

    Ответ

    Smaller atoms usually attract bonding electrons more strongly, so electronegativity tends to rise as radius falls.

  62. Карточка 62

    Вопрос

    Why is Na⁺ much smaller than neutral Na?

    Ответ

    Na loses its entire third-shell valence level, leaving the smaller neon-like electron configuration.

  63. Карточка 63

    Вопрос

    Which has the higher first ionization energy, Mg or Al?

    Ответ

    Mg. Al's removed electron is a higher-energy 3p electron, while Mg loses a more penetrating 3s electron from a filled 3s subshell.

  64. Карточка 64

    Вопрос

    Why does halogen reactivity generally decrease down Group 17?

    Ответ

    Larger radius and greater shielding weaken attraction for an incoming electron, so oxidizing ability generally falls. Particular reactions still depend on bond energies and conditions.

  65. Карточка 65

    Вопрос

    Why do Groups 2 and 15 often interrupt the simple electron-affinity trend?

    Ответ

    Group 2 has a filled s subshell and Group 15 has a half-filled p subshell, so an added electron enters a less favorable arrangement.

  66. Карточка 66

    Вопрос

    Can ion charge alone rank two unrelated ionic radii?

    Ответ

    No. Shell number, electron count, proton count, oxidation state, and crystal environment can all matter; the isoelectronic rule needs the same electron count.

  67. Карточка 67

    Вопрос

    Which has the higher first ionization energy, N or O?

    Ответ

    N. Its half-filled 2p subshell is relatively stable; O has one paired 2p orbital, and repulsion makes one electron easier to remove.

  68. Карточка 68

    Вопрос

    In which direction does nonmetallic character generally increase?

    Ответ

    Up and to the right, opposite the general trend in metallic character.

  69. Карточка 69

    Вопрос

    Within the same principal shell, which penetrates closer to the nucleus: an s or p orbital?

    Ответ

    An s orbital. Greater penetration means its electrons are less shielded and usually lower in energy than p electrons in the same shell.

  70. Карточка 70

    Вопрос

    How do same-charge ion radii generally change down a group?

    Ответ

    They increase as occupied electron shells are added.

  71. Карточка 71

    Вопрос

    Which has the higher first ionization energy, P or S?

    Ответ

    P. Its half-filled 3p subshell is relatively stable; S contains a paired 3p orbital that increases repulsion and eases removal.

  72. Карточка 72

    Вопрос

    Why should simple periodic-direction rules be used cautiously for transition metals?

    Ответ

    d-electron filling, shielding, oxidation state, and contraction effects make their property changes less regular than main-group trends.

  73. Карточка 73

    Вопрос

    Why do periodic-trend statements usually say “generally”?

    Ответ

    Subshell energies, electron pairing, radius definitions, and element-specific configurations create real exceptions to the broad patterns.

  74. Карточка 74

    Вопрос

    Which has the larger atomic radius, K or Br?

    Ответ

    K. Both are in Period 4, and atomic radius generally decreases from left to right.

  75. Карточка 75

    Вопрос

    Which has the higher first ionization energy, Mg or Cl?

    Ответ

    Cl. Its valence electrons experience greater effective nuclear charge and are held more tightly.

  76. Карточка 76

    Вопрос

    Which is more electronegative, Al or Si?

    Ответ

    Si. Electronegativity generally increases across Period 3.

  77. Карточка 77

    Вопрос

    Which has the larger atomic radius, O or F?

    Ответ

    O. Atomic radius generally decreases across Period 2.

  78. Карточка 78

    Вопрос

    Which has the higher first ionization energy, K or Br?

    Ответ

    Br. First ionization energy generally increases across Period 4.

  79. Карточка 79

    Вопрос

    Which is more electronegative, Mg or Cl?

    Ответ

    Cl. It lies farther right in Period 3.

  80. Карточка 80

    Вопрос

    Which has the larger atomic radius, Al or Si?

    Ответ

    Al. Atomic radius generally decreases across Period 3 as effective nuclear charge rises.

  81. Карточка 81

    Вопрос

    Which has the higher first ionization energy, O or F?

    Ответ

    F. This pair follows the general increase across Period 2.

  82. Карточка 82

    Вопрос

    Which is more electronegative, K or Br?

    Ответ

    Br. Electronegativity generally increases across Period 4.

  83. Карточка 83

    Вопрос

    Which has the larger atomic radius, Mg or Cl?

    Ответ

    Mg. Both are in Period 3, and Mg lies farther left.

  84. Карточка 84

    Вопрос

    Which has the higher first ionization energy, Al or Si?

    Ответ

    Si. This pair follows the general increase across Period 3.

  85. Карточка 85

    Вопрос

    Which is more electronegative, O or F?

    Ответ

    F, the most electronegative element on the Pauling scale.

  86. Карточка 86

    Вопрос

    Order Al³⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, Ne, F⁻, and O²⁻ from smallest to largest radius.

    Ответ

    Al³⁺ < Mg²⁺ < Na⁺ < Ne < F⁻ < O²⁻. All have 10 electrons, so radius grows as proton count falls.

  87. Карточка 87

    Вопрос

    Why do upper-right nonmetals usually hold valence electrons tightly?

    Ответ

    Their relatively small radii and high effective nuclear charges create strong attraction between the nucleus and valence electrons.

  88. Карточка 88

    Вопрос

    Across a main-group period, what shared cause links smaller radius, higher ionization energy, and higher electronegativity?

    Ответ

    Increasing effective nuclear charge pulls the same-shell valence electrons inward and holds them more strongly.

A glowing field of blank periodic-table tiles surrounded by blue and amber abstract atomic forms.

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Periodic Trends Flashcards: Atomic Radius, Ionization Energy & Electronegativity

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