Atom-ically Speaking
I live inside the nucleus and carry a positive charge. You can't see me, but I help define what element an atom is. What am I?
Proton
We are a family that does not like to stay still. Highly reactive and unstable, we are always ready to react with others. What family are we?
Halogens
I belong to Group 1. I am bigger than Lithium, but not as big as Potassium. Who am I?
Sodium (Na)
You may find me in your toothpaste. I help protect your teeth, and my symbol is F. Who am I?
Fluorine
I wear the letter H as my mark. I am the first to stand in line on the periodic table. Though I may seem simple, I am the lightest of them all. Who am I, and where do I belong?
Hydrogen (H) — Nonmetal
Three particles make up the atom's story: one is positive, one has no charge, and one is negative. I am the tiniest and lightest of the three. Who am I?
Electron
I stand alone at the very top-left of the periodic table. Although I share my column with a highly reactive family, I don't truly belong with them. Who am I?
Hydrogen
Travel across a period from left to right. Do atoms grow larger or smaller? Follow the trend!
Smaller / atomic radius decreases.
I help plants stay green and thrive. Find me with the letter N. Who am I?
Nitrogen
My symbol begins with A, but my name holds an unexpected ending. I am light enough to be useful, yet strong enough to build with. You may find me hiding in cans and foil. Who am I, and what am I?
Aluminum (Al) — Metal
I am the number that gives an element its identity. Count the positive particles hiding in my nucleus, and you will discover me. If an atom has five of them, what number am I?
5
(The atomic number is just the number of protons!)
I have no home on the far edges of the table. I occupy the center, where my members wear many charges and create colorful compounds. What family am I?
Transition Metals
Across Period 3, I slowly shrink from Sodium to Argon. More protons join the nucleus, pulling the electrons closer. What periodic trend am I showing?
Atomic radius decreases from left to right.
My name starts with L, but my symbol starts with P! I am a heavy metal hiding behind two different names. Who am I?
Lead
Neither side can fully claim me. I stand upon the mysterious staircase, caught between two worlds. My mark is Ge, and electricity finds its way through me—but not quite like it does through a metal. Who am I?
Germanium (Ge) — Metalloid