Chemistry: Periodic Table of Elements

Atoms

●The atom is composed of subatomic particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons that affect the properties of an atom. 

● Protons and neutrons have about the same mass. 

● Protons have a positive charge, while neutrons have no charge. 

● Electrons have a negative charge. 

● Protons and neutrons are tightly bound in a tiny nucleus. 

● The nucleus is located in the center of the atom with the electrons moving in random patterns in the space around the nucleus.

The Periodic Table

●The periodic table is used to organize all of the elements. 

● Every periodic table will have a square for each element with the element name, chemical/element symbol, atomic number, and atomic mass.

Chemical/element symbols 

● Each element has a different symbol. 

● Symbols are written with one, two, or three letters. 

●The first letter is always capitalized. 

Atomic Number 

● The atomic number of an element is equal to the number of protons. 

● The atomic number is a whole number. 

● The atomic number is always the same for a given element. 

● The elements on the periodic table are arranged numerically by increasing atomic number. 

Atomic Mass 

● The atomic mass is an average sum of the number of the protons and the number of neutrons in the nucleus of the atom. 

● Since the atomic mass of an element is an average, it is usually not a whole number. 

Periods 

● A horizontal row on the periodic table is called a period. 

Families/Groups

● Families, also called groups, are vertical columns of elements on the periodic table 

● They are numbered 1-18. 

● Elements in the same family have similar properties. 

Metalloids 

● There is a zigzag line on the right side of the periodic table that separates the metals from the nonmetals. Metalloids are found along this zigzag line. 

● Elements identified as metalloids have properties (characteristics) of both metals and nonmetals. 

Metals 

● Metals are generally located on the left side of the zigzag line. 

● Examples of metals are: Sodium (Na), Calcium (Ca), Iron (Fe), and Aluminum (Al). ● The majority of elements are metals. 

Nonmetals 

● Nonmetals, with the exception of Hydrogen (H), are located on the right side of the zigzag line on the periodic table. 

● Examples of nonmetals are: Chlorine (Cl), Oxygen (O), Sulfur (S), and Iodine (I).

Periodic Table Battleship: