Chemical Properties of Matter

Introduction

The states of matter have chemical properties that distinguish them from one another. Some of the physical properties are tabulated below:

As the atomic number increases along any row of the periodic table, the additional electrons associated with this increase are packed into the same orbit or energy level of the atom. At this same energy orbit, the increased nuclear charge (due to addition of the proton) attracts the orbiting electrons much more strongly, making the size of the atom smaller along the row.

As one moves down the periodic table, i.e. down a column or group, the atomic radius increases due to an increase in the orbits of electrons. The atom is, therefore, larger in size as you move down the table.

Some columns or groups have been given special names based on the chemical properties of the elements in that column. Halogens for example are highly chemically reactive while Noble Gases have very low chemical reactivity.

CHEMICAL BONDING

One of the chemical properties of matter is that their atoms have a tendency to bond with other atoms. All atoms have electrons revolving around their nuclei in defined energy levels called orbits. The electrons in the outermost orbit are known as valence electrons. In any chemical reaction, these valence electrons are gained or lost between atoms, creating chemical bonds between the atoms.

Atoms of the same element may combine to form Molecules. For example, two oxygen atoms combine to form an oxygen molecule. Atoms of two different elements may also combine to form a molecule. For example, two atoms of hydrogen combine with one atom of oxygen to form a molecule named water. When atoms of different elements combine, the result is named a Compound. Water is thus a compound as well. So, all compounds are molecules but not all molecules are compounds!

Chemical bonds may be formed or destroyed as a result of a chemical reaction. Breaking bonds require energy while forming new bonds to release energy.

TYPES OF CHEMICAL BONDS

A chemical bond that involves a sharing of valence electrons (not an exchange of electrons) between two or more atoms is termed a Covalent Bond. This typically takes place between two non-metals, such as when two hydrogen atoms combine to form a hydrogen molecule, or when carbon combines with four hydrogen atoms to form methane gas.

A chemical bond that involves an exchange of valence electrons from one atom to another is termed an Ionic Bond. This typically takes place between a nonmetal and a metal. An example of an ionic bond is the combining of one atom of Sodium with one of Chlorine to create Sodium Chloride, which is a common salt.

A chemical bond that takes place between two metals is termed a Metallic Bond. The valence electrons are not just associated with a specific pair of atoms here, instead, they continuously overlap across a large number of neighboring atoms. Examples are gold, silver, iron, aluminum, to name a few.

Some hydrocarbon examples (L-R: Ethane, Propane, Butane, Benzene)

Organic compounds composed of only carbon and hydrogen atoms are termed as Hydrocarbons. Multiple atoms of hydrogen and carbon combine in many different ways to create multiple types of hydrocarbons. In the examples shown, notice that in all the compounds Carbon has four covalent bonds around it while hydrogen has one. This means that they have a valency of 4 and 1 respectively!

Our energy sources such as crude oil, natural gas, coal and petroleum, are all hydrocarbons.

Check Point

State True or False:

1. The molecular spacing in gas is very close.
2. The periodic table is arranged by groups and rows.
3. Atomic size increases as you move down the periodic table.

Fill in the Blanks:

4. Electrons responsible for chemical bonding are called _____ electrons.
5. A chemical bond between a metal and a nonmetal is termed an _____ bond.
6. The two elements that make up hydrocarbons are _____ and _____.

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