Periodic Table

Exploration 3: Color Code the Periodic Table (TEKS 6.6.C)
Color Code the Periodic Table

Color Code the Periodic Table

The periodic table is often color coded to show which elements are metals, nonmetals, and metalloids. In this activity, you will color code your own periodic table.

​Materials (per individual)

• Periodic Table Handout

• Colored pencils only

Step 1 On your handout

Use orange to color the seven metalloids:
B (boron), Si (silicon), Ge (germanium),
As (arsenic), Sb (antimony), Te (tellurium) and At (Astatine). 

​Like this...!

​Notice that the metalloids form a pattern like a staircase.

​Step 2

The elements on the periodic table to the right of the metalloids are nonmetals, along with H (hydrogen) on the top left. Color the nonmetals blue-basically, H, He, C, N, O, F, Ne, P, S, Cl, Ar, Se, Br, Kr, I, Xe, and Rn.

​Like this...!

​Like this...!

Step 3

All the other elements are metals. Color the metals green.

​Like this....

​Create a key or legend for the 3 different categories

The periodic table has chemical symbols to represent each element.  The symbol for each element is represented by one or two letters from the element's name.

If the chemical symbol has two letters, the first letter is capitalized and the second letter is in lowercase. Some symbols do not correspond to the English word for the element because many names are derived from Latin.

In the periodic table, the information in each element box includes the atomic number, chemical symbol, element name,  and average atomic mass.

Multiple Choice

What is the average atomic mass of hydrogen? Hydrogen is at the top left of the periodic table.

• H

• 1

• 1008

• 12.01

The location of each element on the periodic table is based on its properties. Elements in the same column, called a group, share similar properties. Elements in the same row, called a period, have properties that vary in a predictable way. These patterns can be used to interpret the periodic table and gather information about elements.

Another way the periodic table organizes the elements is to separate them by metals, nonmetals, and metalloids. Metals are on the left and lower part of the periodic table. Nonmetals, except for hydrogen, are on the right and upper side of the periodic table. The elements that separate the metals from the nonmetals are metalloids.

Multiple Choice

Where are metalloids on the periodic table?

• on the left side

• one the right side

• on the bottom

• between the metals and nonmetals

Open Ended

Describe where you can find each type on the periodic tale.

Metals

Nonmetals

Metalloids

​Metals-on the left and bottom

​Nonmetals-on the upper right

​Metalloids-between metal and nonmetals

Multiple Choice

Which of the following describes a comparison of the number of metals and nonmetals on the periodic table?

• There are more nonmetals than metals.

• There are more metals than nonmetals.

• There are the same number of metals and nonmetals.

Poll

How do you feel about what we covered in class today? Select the one that best describes how you feel.

• I got this. I'm ready to move on to a new topic.

• I feel okay. I would like to ask a few questions about the topic.

• I don't feel comfortable.

Word Cloud

Name one thing you learned about the periodic table.