Questions 1
Where do natural and synthetic polymers come from? Name three natural and three synthetic polymers.
Synthetic polymers can only be made from natural polymers. Natural: DNA, silk, rubber Synthetic: plastics, styrofoam, nylon, teflon
What is an isomer? (You may use carbon compound drawings to help with your definition.) Do isomers and the original structure have the same physical properties? Explain.
Isomers are compounds with the same chemical formula but different structures. For example, there are 2 different ways to arrange butane, C4H10. They do not have the same properties, for example they may have different melting points and different boiling points.
In 1869, Russian chemist Dmitri Mendeleev created the framework that became the modern periodic table, leaving gaps for elements that were yet to be discovered. While arranging the elements according to their atomic weight, if he found that they did not fit into the group he would rearrange them.
-American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
When elements combine to form compounds, do the compounds have the same characteristics as the original elements? Explain and give an example.
No, form new characteristics. Hydrogen and oxygen are both gases but they combine to form water. Sodium is a highly reactive metal and chlorine is a toxic gas, they combine to form salt.
How does the number of valence electrons affect which elements will combine?
Atoms want to have a full outer shell of electrons. This makes them stable. Atoms will give up electrons, take electrons or share electrons so that they have the right number for that full outer shell.
how do you figure out the number of neutrons
subtract atomic number by rounded mass
Why are group 18 elements called Noble Gases?
Because these elements have a full outer shell of electrons, they will never combine with other elements.
Why is chlorine considered a building block element? Name three modern materials or products that contain chlorine.
valence electrons mean it combines easily with other elements, can form endless compounds, found in medicines, plastics, used to sanitize
how do you figure out number of protons
the atomic number
How does the phrase, ‘opposites attract,’ relate to ionic bonds?
Atoms become ions when they gain or lose electrons. They then have positive and negative charges. These opposite charges are attracted to each other.
Why does the Periodic Table look the way that it does?
The columns are elements that share properties. The rows are elements that gradually change from reactive metals to non-reactive gasses. The two rows at the bottom are only for convenience so the table will fit easily in a rectangle. The table gets wider between after row 1 and row 3 because the rows actually represent the number of electron rings. The first ring has 2 electrons, the second and third have 8.