The periodic table: periods, groups and blocks
Practice Flashcards
Flip to reveal answersHow is the periodic table ordered?
Track your progress — Sign up free to save your progress and get smart review reminders based on spaced repetition.
All 11 Flashcards — The periodic table: periods, groups and blocks
Sign up free to track progress and get spaced-repetition review schedules.
Question
How is the periodic table ordered?
Answer
By **increasing atomic number** (number of protons), not by relative atomic mass.
Question
What is a period?
Answer
A horizontal **row**; the period number equals the highest occupied **main energy level (n)**.
Question
What is a group?
Answer
A vertical **column**; elements in a group have the **same number of outer (valence) electrons**.
Question
What defines the s/p/d/f blocks?
Answer
The **sublevel** that the outermost electrons are filling (s, p, d or f).
Question
Which groups make up the s-block?
Answer
Groups **1 and 2** (plus H and He) — outer electrons fill the **s** sublevel.
Question
Which groups make up the p-block?
Answer
Groups **13–18** — outer electrons fill the **p** sublevel.
Question
Where is the d-block and what is it?
Answer
The **centre** of the table (groups 3–12) — the **transition metals**, filling the d sublevel.
Question
Where is the f-block?
Answer
The **two detached rows** at the bottom — the **lanthanides and actinides**, filling the f sublevel.
Question
How do you find an element's block from its configuration?
Answer
Name the **sublevel the outermost electron enters** (e.g. …3p⁵ → p-block; …3d⁶ → d-block).
Question
How does position give the outer shell of a main-group element?
Answer
**Period** number = n of the outer shell; **group** number = number of outer electrons (group 17 → 7).
Question
Which block would element 119 be in, and why?
Answer
The **s-block** — its next electron would enter the **8s** sublevel (group 1, period 8).
Read the notes
Full study notes for The periodic table: periods, groups and blocks
Topic 3.1 hub
The periodic table: classification of elements
More from Topic 3.1
All flashcards in this topic
Chemistry exam skills
Paper structures & tips
Track your progress with spaced repetition
Sign up free — Aimnova tells you exactly which cards to review and when, so you remember everything before your IB exam.
Start Free