The Periodic Table

Question 1

How is the periodic table arranged with regards to atomic number?

Answer 1

Increasing atomic number from left to right, so each element has one more proton than the element preceding it

This is done so elements are near to elements with similar properties

Question 2

What are groups in the periodic table and what do they denote?

Answer 2

Groups are vertical columns which show the number of electrons in an atoms outer shell of that particular element

Transition metals do not follow a particular pattern, so are in no group. The bottom two rows of elements are omitted from the periodic table given

Question 3

What are periods in the periodic table and what do they denote?

Answer 3

Periods are horizontal rows which show the number of electron shells an atom of that particular element has

The counting of periods starts with hydrogen

Question 4

How many electrons can each electron shell hold in order?

Answer 4

2,8,8

Question 5

How can you classify a metal using electrical conductivity?

Answer 5

Metals are good conductors

Question 6

How can you classify a non-metal using electrical conductivity?

Answer 6

Non-metals are poor conductors

Question 7

How can you classify a metal using its acid-base character as an oxide?

Answer 7

It will be alkaline/base in its oxide state

Question 8

How can you classify a non-metal using its acid-base character as an oxide?

Answer 8

It will be acidic in its oxide state

Question 9

How can you classify non-metals and metals from their position on the periodic table?

Answer 9

And the metals are on the right, and the non-metals are on the left. They are split by a zig zag line, going down to the right starting with boron (which is a non-metal)

Question 10

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

Answer 10

They have the same number of outer electrons, so they will react and bond similarly

So you can predict how other elements will function given the functions of one element, and then you can draw up trends

Question 11

Why are noble gases unreactive?

Answer 11

Elements react to complete their outer shells by losing, gaining or sharing electrons, so because all the noble gases have full outer shells which is very stable, they are unable to participate in reactions and are inert (unreactive).

Noble gases are colourless, non-flammable and exist as single atoms