Topic 3

Question 1

What is the periodic table and why is it important?

Answer 1

The periodic table is the most important reference a chemist has because it puts all the known elements into a meaningful pattern. Elements are arranged left to right and top to bottom in order of increasing atomic number. This order generally goes with increasing atomic mass.

Question 2

How is the periodic table organised?

Answer 2

The chemical elements are arranged in order of increasing atomic number. The horizontal rows are called periods and the vertical columns are called groups. Elements in the same group have similar chemical properties.

Question 3

Name and identify some elements on the periodic table

Answer 3

H - Hydrogen.
He - Helium.
Li - Lithium.
Be - Beryllium.
B - Boron.
C - Carbon.
N - Nitrogen.
O - Oxygen.