The Periodic Table

Question 1

What are the properties of metals?

Answer 1

High melting and boiling points
Good conductors of heat and electricity
Sonorous
Basic oxide
Shiny
High densities

Question 2

What are groups?

Answer 2

Vertical columns

Question 3

What are periods?

Answer 3

Horizontal rows

Question 4

The alkali metals are in group 1. What are some properties of the alkali metals?

Answer 4

Luminous, soft, reactive, low melting and boiling points (for a metal), low density.

Question 5

Alkali metals are known for their high reactivity. What is the main reason for this?

Answer 5

They have one electron in their outermost shell which makes them reactive as they readily try to lose that electron to achieve a stable configuration.

Question 6

What does the reactions with water do going down Group 1?

Answer 6

The reaction with water increases.

Question 7

Which alkali metal is commonly used in the production of rechargeable batteries, particularly in phones and laptops?

Answer 7

Lithium is widely used in rechargeable batteries, especially in devices like phones and laptops, due to its light weight and high energy density.

Question 8

Alkali metals are stored under oil to prevent reactions with air or moisture. What is the primary reason for this?

Answer 8

To prevent them from combusting spontaneously.

Question 9

Which alkali metal is most commonly used in the manufacture of atomic clocks?

Answer 9

Cesium is used in the manufacture of atomic clocks due to its precise oscillation frequency, making it ideal for measuring time accurately.

Question 10

When alkali metals react with halogens, what type of bond is typically formed?

Answer 10

This transfer of electrons from the alkali metal to the halogen results in the formation of positive ions (cations) for the alkali metal and negative ions (anions) for the halogen. These oppositely charged ions are held together by electrostatic forces, creating an ionic bond.

Question 11

The Halogens are Group 7. What are some properties of the Halogens?

Question 12

Halogens are known for forming salts when they react with metals. What type of bond is typically formed between halogens and metals?

Answer 12

When a halogen reacts with a metal, the metal loses an electron to become a positively charged ion (cation), and the halogen gains that electron to become a negatively charged ion (anion). The oppositely charged ions are then held together by electrostatic forces, forming an ionic bond.

Question 13

Which halogen is the lightest and has the smallest atomic size?

Answer 13

Fluorine (F) is the lightest halogen and has the smallest atomic size. As you move down the group in the periodic table, atomic size increases because additional electron shells are added.

Question 14

What does the reactivity do going down Group 7?

Answer 14

The reactivity decreases.

Question 15

Which of the halogens is the most reactive?

Answer 15

Fluorine is the most reactive halogen. It has the highest electronegativity and readily accepts electrons in chemical reactions, making it extremely reactive.

Question 16

What does the melting and boiling point do going down Group 7?

Answer 16

The melting and boiling point increases.

Question 17

Halogens are typically most reactive with which type of elements and why?

Answer 17

Halogens are most reactive with alkali metals. Alkali metals have one electron in their outer shell, which they easily lose to form cations. Halogens, with seven electrons in their outer shell, are eager to gain one more electron to complete their valence shell, making the reaction between halogens and alkali metals highly energetic and forming ionic compounds.

Question 18

Who was the first person who put the Periodic Table together?

Answer 18

Dimitri Mendeleev

Question 19

Why are Noble Gases so unreactive?

Answer 19

Noble gases have a full outer electron shell, which makes them chemically stable and largely unreactive. This is why they are often called “inert gases.”

Question 20

Why is helium commonly used for balloons?

Answer 20

Helium is commonly used to fill balloons because it is non-flammable and lighter than air, allowing the balloons to float.

Question 21

What are the properties of Noble Gases?

Answer 21

Colourless, gaseous state at room temperature, low boiling and melting points, inertness, full outer-shell.

Question 22

What is Argon used for?

Answer 22

Argon is used in light bulbs, especially incandescent bulbs, to prevent the filament from oxidizing. It’s also used in welding to create an inert atmosphere.

Question 23

What are the Transition Metals?

Answer 23

Transition metals are elements found in Groups 3 to 12 of the periodic table. They are characterized by their ability to form multiple oxidation states, which allows them to engage in a variety of chemical reactions. Transition metals are typically hard, dense, and malleable with high melting and boiling points. They are good conductors of heat and electricity and often have shiny appearances. These metals are used in a wide range of applications, including in construction materials, electrical devices, and catalysts.