Mysteries
of the
Periodic Table!
When you look at a periodic table, each of the rows is considered to be a different period
(Get it? Like PERIODic table.). In the periodic table, elements have something in common if they are in the same row. All of the elements in a period have the same number of atomic orbitals
When a column goes from top to bottom, it's called a group. The elements in a group have the same number of electrons in their outer orbital
Understanding The Periodic Table
The PT is arranged according to what scientists call “families”.
Each “family” shares certain characteristics.
Just like your family probably share some common characteristics.
These THREE are all in the same family. Can you tell why?
When looking for families, the first one you will find is the alkali metal family of elements. They are also known as the alkaline metals.
Common Characteristics of these elements include:
An Atom of Sodium
Most reactive metals due to having one electron in their outer shell.
When you are that close to having a full shell, you want to bond with other elements and lose that electron. An increased desire to bond means you are more reactive. In fact, when you put some of these pure elements in water, they will react very violently.
This one electron wants to leave and join with another atom
If this element loses an electron, how many does it have in the next inner shell?
Remember 8 makes an element happy
Alkaline Earth Metals are in Group II.
They are the second most reactive metals in the periodic table due to having two electrons in their outer orbit.
Common Characteristics of these elements include:
These two electrons are likely to leave and “bond” with something else. This makes Alkali Earth Metals Reactive.
This atom is Magnesium
If this element loses an electron, how many does it have in the next inner shell?
Transition Metals are in Group III, IV, etc. (See above)
These “metals” are not that reactive, but can bond with other atoms. Transition metals are good examples of what scientists call an advanced shell idea. They have a lot of “extra” electrons and distribute them in different ways.
As we have seen in Groups ONE and TWO, elements typically only use electrons from their outer orbital to bond with other elements. Transition metals can use the two outermost shells/orbitals to bond with other elements.
It's a chemical trait that allows them to bond with many elements in a variety of shapes.
Why can they do that? Most transition elements actually have two shells/orbitals that are not happy. Whenever you have a shell that is not happy, its electrons can bond with other elements.
NOT HAPPY! - Unstable
All of the Halogens are ONE electron shy of being full in
their outer orbital/shell…if they get 1 more they will be happy!
Common Characteristics of these elements include:
Reactive nonmetals due to having 7 electrons in their outer shell.
Group 17 are named Halogens:
Chlorine
Would Chlorine likely lose seven electrons or gain one electron?
Gain ONE
Because they are so close to being happy, they have the trait of combining with many different elements. You will often find them bonding with metals and
elements from Group One of the periodic table.
(Halogens are very reactive & react well with metals)
This family has the happiest elements of all.
Can you guess why?
The fact that their outer shells are full means they are quite happy not reacting with other elements.
The non-reactivity is why they are often called inert.
These nonmetals are not reactive due to have 8 valence electrons.
Common Characteristics of these elements include:
What does NOBLE mean?
Possessing very high or excellent qualities or properties: very good or excellent
Quiz Time
Challenge your shoulder partner or face partner
Noble Gases
1) What name is given to the atoms that are red in the PT?
Transition Metals
2) What name is given to the
atoms that are yellow in the PT?
Alkali Metals
4) How many electrons are in the outer shell?
1
3) What Name is given to the Family in GREEN?
Noble Gases
6) How many electrons are in the outer shell/orbital?
FULL
or
8
5) What name is given to the elements in the RED GROUP?
7) All of the Halogens are
________ electron shy of being full in
their outer orbital/shell.
8) All of the Alkali Metals have only
________ electron in
their outer orbital/shell.
ONE
ONE
9) What name is given to the
rows in the PT?
Periods
10) What Name is Given to the Family in Olive Green?
Alkali Earth Metals
11) What name is the given to the columns in the PT?
Group
12) WHAT IS THE NAME FOR THIS GROUP?
13) WHAT IS THE NAME FOR THIS GROUP?
Alkali Earth Metals
Halogens
14) What Name is given to the Column in PURPLE?
Noble Gases
15) What name is given to the RED column?
Alkali Metals
16) Which atom will most likely gain an
electron to become “Happy”?
Chlorine- It has 7 in the outer most orbit and wants ONE MORE so it can have 8.
17) Which Two Atoms would most likely combine together to make a COMPOUND?
A
B
C
D
These 2 - Notice C has 2 in the outer orbit and B has 6 in the outer orbit. C would give up the outer 2 so B would have 8. C would then have 8 in it’s outer orbit.
Complete the Families of the Periodic Table sheet
Use the notes found below
Included color to assist labeling
After you have completed the Families of the Periodic Table sheet → Work on the Families Practice worksheet.