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Classification of Elements and Periodicity in Properties appeared 36 times across 3 years — 4.2% of Chemistry. This question is from Periodic Trends in Atomic Radii.

Year 2026 2025 2024 Total
Questions 9 16 11 36

The type of oxide formed by the element among Li, Na, Be, Mg, B and Al that has the least atomic radius is: (1) A₂O₃ (2) AO₂ (3) AO (4) A₂O

Solution & Explanation

Core Logic

Let's analyze the periodic trend among the listed elements: Li, Na, Be, Mg, B, Al.

  • Atomic radius decreases across a period due to increasing effective nuclear charge (Zeff).
  • Atomic radius increases down a group due to addition of electron shells.
  • Comparing Period 2 elements (Li, Be, B): Boron (B) has the highest atomic number here and thus the smallest atomic radius. Boron forms an oxide where its oxidation state is +3, which gives B₂O₃. This matches the structural template A₂O₃.

Pattern Recognition

Smallest element in Period 2 (excluding noble gases) is on the far right. Boron belongs to Group 13, so it forms traditional trivalent acidic oxides (A₂O₃).

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Chemistry: Classification of Elements and Periodicity in Properties

Reference Study Guides

More Classification of Elements and Periodicity in Properties Previous-Year Questions

Q52 jee_main_2026_21_jan_morning Periodic Trends
Which of the following represents the correct trend for the mentioned property? A. F > P > S > B – First Ionization Energy B. Cl > F > S > P – Electron Affinity C. K > Al > Mg > B – Metallic character D. K₂O > Na₂O > MgO > Al₂O₃ – Basic character Choose the correct answer from the option given below.
  • A. A, B and D only
  • B. A, B, C and D
  • C. A and B only
  • D. B and C only

Solution

Core Logic

Analyzing each statement based on periodic trends:

A. On moving left to right in a period, Ionization Energy (IE) generally increases, and from top to bottom it decreases. So, the correct order is F > P > S > B (IE order). Thus, statement A is correct.

B. For Electron Affinity (EA), Group 17 > Group 16 > Group 15. Also, 3rd-period elements often have higher EA than 2nd period (like Cl > F due to compact size of F). The order Cl > F > S > P is correct. Thus, statement B is correct.

C. On moving left to right in a period, metallic character decreases. So Mg > Al. The correct order is K > Mg > Al > B. Thus, statement C is incorrect.

D. On moving top to bottom in a group basic character increases, and moving left to right it decreases. The correct basic strength order is K₂O > Na₂O > MgO > Al₂O₃. Thus, statement D is correct.

Step 1: Conclusion

Statements A, B, and D represent the correct trends.

Pattern Recognition

Always remember the electron affinity anomaly: Cl > F and S > O due to high inter-electronic repulsion in smaller 2p orbitals.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Chemistry: Classification of Elements and Periodicity in Properties

Q60 jee_main_2026_21_jan_evening Atomic/Ionic Radii and Electron Gain Enthalpy
Given below are two statements: Statement-I: The correct order in terms of atomic/ionic radii is Al > Mg > Mg²⁺ > Al³⁺. Statement-II: The correct order in terms of the magnitude of electron gain enthalpy is Cl > Br > S > O. In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below:
  • A. (1) Both Statement I and Statement II are false
  • B. (2) Statement I is false but Statement II is true
  • C. (3) Statement I is true but Statement II is false
  • D. (4) Both Statement I and Statement II are true

Solution

Core Logic
  • Statement I: Correct order of size is Mg > Al > Mg²⁺ > Al³⁺ because atomic radius of magnesium is greater than aluminium in period 3. Thus Statement-I is false.
  • Statement-II: Chlorine has the highest electron gain enthalpy in the periodic table, and halogens exceed chalcogens. The order Cl > Br > S > O is true.
Step 1: Final Conclusion

Statement I is false but Statement II is true, corresponding to option (2).

Pattern Recognition

Sees: Periodic trends for atomic radii and electron affinity. Trap: Assuming Al is larger than Mg due to higher atomic number.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Chemistry: Classification of Elements and Periodicity in Properties

Q62 jee_main_2026_22_january_evening Ionization Enthalpy and Electron Gain Enthalpy Trends
Given below are two statements: Statement-I: C < O < N < F is the correct order in terms of first ionization enthalpy values. Statement-II: S > Se > Te > Po > O is the correct order in terms of the magnitude of electron gain enthalpy values. In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below:
  • A. Statement-I is false but Statement-II is true
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are true.
  • C. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are false.
  • D. Statement-I is true but Statement-II is false.

Solution

Related Formula
Half-filled 2p³ configuration of Nitrogen gives higher IE₁ than Oxygen (2p⁴). Oxygen has anomalously low magnitude of ΔegH due to strong inter-electronic repulsions in small 2p shell.
Core Logic

Step 1: Evaluate Statement-I:

  • Across Period 2, IE₁ generally increases with Zeff.
  • N (2p³) is half-filled, so IE₁(N) > IE₁(O).
  • Correct order: C < O < N < F. Statement-I is TRUE.
  • Step 2: Evaluate Statement-II:

  • Magnitudes of ΔegH for Group 16: S (200) > Se (195) > Te (190) > Po (174) > O (141 kJ/mol).
  • Oxygen has the lowest magnitude in the group. Statement-II is TRUE.
Pattern Recognition

Sees: Group 16 electron gain enthalpy and Period 2 ionization enthalpy anomalies. Shortcut: Remember half-filled N > O for IE₁, and small 2p shell makes O < Po for |ΔegH|.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Chemistry: Classification of Elements and Periodicity in Properties

Q53 jee_main_2026_23_january_morning Ionization Enthalpy
The correct trend in the first ionization enthalpies of the elements in the 3rd period of periodic table is:
  • A. Al < Si < S < P < Cl
  • B. Al < S < P < Si < Cl
  • C. Si < S < Al < P < Cl
  • D. S < Si < Al < P < Cl

Solution

Core Logic

In general, on moving from left to right across a period, the first ionization energy increases due to an increase in effective nuclear charge (Zeff). However, there are exceptions due to stable electronic configurations.

Step 1: Configuration Analysis

For elements Al, Si, P, S, and Cl: Generally, Al < Si < P < S < Cl. But, Phosphorus (1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p³) has a half-filled, exceptionally stable 3p subshell compared to Sulfur (3s² 3p⁴). This makes it harder to remove an electron from P than from S.

Step 2: Final Trend Construction

Because of this half-filled stability, the ionization energy of P is greater than that of S. Therefore, the corrected trend becomes: Al < Si < S < P < Cl

Pattern Recognition

Always look for Group 15 (half-filled np³) vs Group 16 (np⁴) anomalies. Group 15 always has a higher first ionization energy than Group 16 in the same period.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Chemistry: Classification of Elements and Periodicity in Properties

Q59 jee_main_2026_23_january_evening Ionization Enthalpy and Ionic Radius
Ionization Enthalpy and Ionic Radius diagram for Q59 - JEE Main 2026 Evening
Relevant data for evaluating Statement I and II regarding atomic properties.
Given below are two statements : Statement I : The second ionisation enthalpy of Na is larger than the corresponding ionisation enthalpy of Mg. Statement II : The ionic radius of O²⁻ is larger than that of F⁻. In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below.
  • A. Both statement I and statement II are true
  • B. Both statement I and statement II are false
  • C. Statement I is false but statement II is true
  • D. Statement I is true but statement II is false

Solution

Related Formula
IE₂ requires breaking stable noble gas configurations if M^+ is isoelectronic with a noble gas.
Core Logic

Statement I: Let's analyze the electronic configurations. Na (Z=11): 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s¹ Na^+ is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ (Stable Neon noble gas core). Mg (Z=12): 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² Mg^+ is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s¹. Removing a second electron from Na^+ (IE₂) involves disrupting a highly stable, fully-filled 2p⁶ shell, requiring massive energy. Removing a second electron from Mg^+ (IE₂) just removes the 3s¹ electron. Thus, IE₂ of Na > IE₂ of Mg. Statement I is true.

Statement II: Both O²⁻ and F⁻ are isoelectronic species, possessing 10 electrons (1s² 2s² 2p⁶). However, the nuclear charge (number of protons, Z) is different. O²⁻ has 8 protons pulling 10 electrons. F⁻ has 9 protons pulling 10 electrons. Since F⁻ has a higher effective nuclear charge (Zeff), its electron cloud is pulled more tightly, making its radius smaller. Thus, the radius of O²⁻ > F⁻. Statement II is true.

Pattern Recognition

For isoelectronic species, more negative charge always equals a larger ionic radius (lower Z/e ratio implies less nuclear pull per electron).

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Chemistry: Classification of Elements and Periodicity

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