Identifying Periodic Table Elements by Characteristics

In what direction are groups arranged in the periodic table?

• Side to side

• Up and down.

• Diagonally

• In sections.

Alkali metals have 1 valence electron, making them highly reactive. With the exception of hydrogen, they tend to be very soft metals with low melting points. Examples include sodium and potassium.

Alkaline earth metals have 2 valence electrons and also are highly reactive and have high melting points. Examples include calcium and magnesium.

Halogens have 7 valence electrons and therefore are highly reactive. They tend to form compounds in nature. Examples include chlorine and fluorine.

Noble gases have a complete outer shell with 8 valence electrons, making them nonreactive. They are typically colorless, odorless gases. Examples include helium, neon, and argon.

Which group of elements tend to form compounds in nature?

• Alkaline metals

• Alkaline Earth metals

• Halogens

• Noble Gases

Which group is highly reactive with high melting points?

• Alkaline metals

• Alkaline earth metals

• Halogens

• Noble gases

The periodic table is further arranged into three major regions, including the metals, metalloids, and non-metals. Metals are on the left of the table; they are shiny and flexible, conduct heat and electricity, and participate in ionic reactions. Non-metals are on the far right of the table; they are dull and brittle, are poor conductors, and typically participate in ionic reactions.

Which one is NOT a major region of elements in the periodic table?

• Metals

• Mettaloids

• Non metals

• Gases

Carbon and silicon, however, are examples of non-metals that participate in covalent reactions. Metalloids are located in a zig-zagging line between the two other regions. Metalloids are solid semi-conductors. In contrast to metals and non-metals, metalloids participate in covalent reactions.

Where would you look on the table to find the mettaloids?

• In a zigzag line on the right.

• In column 17

• On the bottom

• On the top

The elements in groups 3-12 are called the transition metals. These are similar to the metals in that they are flexible and good conductors but different in that they have unique valence electron structure. They typically form coordinate complexes in which one atom is surrounded by several more in a large complex. Iron, gold, and copper are examples of transition metals.

Which group are the transition metals most like?

• Metals, they are flexible and good conductors.

• Non metals, they a unique valence electron structure.

• Noble gases, they don't want to bond with anything else.

• They are like both metals and non metals in some ways.

The atomic number of an element is equal to its number of protons. Therefore, a logical conclusion is that the number of protons determines an element’s-

• Mass and atomic weight.

• The number of stable isotopes.

• Identity

• State of matter

Which statement would be most helpful in identifying an element?

• The element has 36 protons

• The element has 6 neutrons

• The element has 8 valence electrons

• The element has properties similar to nitrogen

Which of the following characteristics is similar for fluorine and iodine?

• Number of Protons

• Number of Neutrons

• Number of Orbitals

• Number of Valence Electrons

What element contains 7 protons and 5 valence electrons?

• Boron

• Vanadium

• Nitrogen

• Lithium