Periodic Table

Question 1

Explain the final column?

Answer 1

The elements in the final column group 0 are noble gases, all have eight electrons in their outer shell, apart from helium which has two. This means they are stable and unreactive.

Question 2

What does the mass number tell you?

Answer 2

This is the total number of protons and neutrons.

Question 3

What does the atomic number tell you?

Answer 3

This is number of protons, tells you number of electrons.

Question 4

How do you find the number of neutrons in an atom?

Answer 4

Subtract atomic number from mass number.

Question 5

Why do elements in the same group have the same properties?

Answer 5

For example, group 1 elements are all metals and react in the same way. They all react with water to form an alkaline solution and hydrogen gas, and they all react with oxygen to form an oxide.

Question 6

What is the definition of an element?

Answer 6

An element is a substance consisting of atoms which all have the same number of protons - i.e. the same atomic number. Elements are chemically the simplest substances and hence cannot be broken down using chemical methods. Elements can only be changed into other elements using nuclear methods.