• the atomic and ionic radii decrease going across a period because Zeff (effective nuclear charge)
increases pulling in the outer valence electrons.
• Ionisation energies (IE1): M(g) ® M+(g) + e-increase
going across a period, atoms get smaller making
valence e- harder to eject.
• Metal basicity reflects an ability
to form stable cations & so a low IE1 favours basic cmpds. eg. Na ® Na2O2 ® Na+(aq) + OH-
• Non-metal
acidity reflects an ability to form covalently
bound hydroxides, moderate IE1 & EA1 giving preference to covalent bonding. eg. P ® P2O5 ® H2PO4-(aq) + H+