Understanding the Periodic Table

Mr. Ferguson from East Millbrook Middle School explains how to read the periodic table to identify subatomic particles such as protons, neutrons, and electrons. He clarifies the concepts of atomic number, atomic mass, and mass number, using examples of elements like oxygen, zinc, and element number three. The video demonstrates how to calculate the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons in a neutral atom using the periodic table.

What is the most important information to know about an element on the periodic table?

• The number of electrons

• The atomic number

• The atomic mass

• The chemical symbol

What does the atomic mass represent?

• The number of neutrons

• The number of protons

• The number of electrons

• The average number of protons and neutrons

How is the mass number different from the atomic mass?

• It is the same as the atomic number

• It is always a decimal

• It is specific to one isotope

• It includes electrons

What is the atomic number of oxygen?

• 16

• 18

• 8

• 6

How many neutrons are in the most common isotope of oxygen?

• 12

• 10

• 8

• 6

What is the atomic number of zinc?

• 30

• 28

• 29

• 31

How many neutrons are in zinc if its mass number is 65?

• 30

• 35

• 40

• 45

What is the atomic number of element number three?

• 3

• 2

• 4

• 1

If the atomic mass of element number three is 6.941, what is its mass number when rounded?

• 6

• 7

• 9

• 8

How many neutrons are in element number three if its mass number is 7?

• 2

• 3

• 5

• 4