Periodic Table Basics
The modern periodic table is arranged in order by this number, it also tells you how many protons an atom has
What is Atomic Number?
The 7 horizontal rows across the periodic table are called...
What are periods?
Most elements on the left side and middle of the periodic table fall into this category by being shiny and good conductors of heat/electricity
What are metals?
Located in Group 1, these soft, extremely reactive metals can explode when brought into contact with water or oxygen
What are Alkali Metals?
This rule states that atoms will gain, lose, or share electrons in order to achieve a full Valence Shell (a set of 8 Valence Electrons)
What is the Octet Rule?
The Russian Chemist in the 1800's who created the periodic table and famously predicted the properties of elements that hadn't been discovered yet?
Who is Dmitri Medeleev?
The 18 vertical columns on the periodic table are known by these two terms...
What are groups or families?
This visual feature on the periodic table separates the metals on the left from the nonmetals on the right
What is the staircase line (Stair-step or zig-zag)?
Group 18 elements that show almost no chemical reactivity because their outer electron shell is completely full
What are Noble Gases?
All elements in this bottom row series (atomic numbers 89-103) share the defining characteristic of having an unstable nucleus that emits radiation
What are Actinides (or the Actinide Series)?
The one or two letter abbreviation found on an element card- Such as Na for Sodium or O for Oxygen- What is that called?
What is the element symbol?
An elements period number tells you this specific detail about its atomic structure
What is the number of electron shells (orbitals or energy levels)?
Even though it sits on the far left side in in Group 1, this element is a major exception because it is a nonmetal
What is Hydrogen?
Known as "salt forming" this Group 17 family of nonmetals is highly reactive with Alkali Metals
What are Halogens?
Located in an extension of Period 6 (atomic numbers 57-71) these soft, malleable metals are frequently used to create metal alloys
What are Lanthanides (or the Lanthanide Series)?
An atom has 26 protons, 26 electrons, and 28 neutrons.
What would this atoms atomic number be?
What is 26?
To quickly find the number of valence Electrons for elements in groups 13-18 you must do this simple math step to the group number
What is drop the 1 in front (or subtract 10)?
Elements along the staircase boundary that have mixed properties of metals and nonmetals and are essential for electronic computer chips
What are Metalloids?
Found in Group 3 through 12 in the middle of the table, this large family of metals conducts electricity well and includes Iron, Copper, and Gold
What are Transition Metals?
An atom of Aluminum (Al) is in Period 3 and Group 13 it has this number of total Electron Shells and this number of Valence Electrons
What is
3 Electron Shells (orbitals)
and
3 Valence Electrons?
To find the number of neutrons in a typical atom, you subtract the atomic number from this rounded value on an element card
What is the atomic mass?
Elements in the same vertical columns share similar chemical properties because they all have the same number of these
What are Valence Electrons?
These two vocabulary terms describe a metals ability to be drawn into thin wires and hammered or bent into sheets...
What are ductile and malleable?
Group 2 elements that are semi-reactive metals readily found in nature, such as Calcium and Magnesium
What are Alkaline Earth Metals?
A Carbon Isotope has 6 protons, 6 electrons, and 8 neutrons.
This is its total mass number.
What is 14?
Remember just add the protons and neutrons to identify the mass number of an isotope.