2
2
2
nitrogen
gold
silver
mercury
oxygen hydrogen
helium
sodium niobium
neodymium
carbon
Elements
Science has come
along way since
Aristotle’s theory of
Air, Water, Fire, and
Earth.
Scientists have
identified 90 naturally
occurring elements,
and created about 28
others.
Elements
The elements,
alone or in
combinations,
make up our
bodies, our world,
our sun, and in
fact, the entire
universe.
The most abundant element in the
earth’s crust is oxygen.
Periodic Table
The periodic table organizes the elements in a
particular way. A great deal of information about an
element can be gathered from its position in the
period table.
For example, you can predict with reasonably good
accuracy the physical and chemical properties of
the element. You can also predict what other
elements a particular element will react with
chemically.
Understanding the organization and plan of the
periodic table will help you obtain basic information
about each of the 118 known elements.
Common Elements and
Symbols
Valence Electrons
The number of valence
electrons an atom has
may also appear in a
square.
Valence electrons are the
electrons in the outer
energy level of an atom.
These are the electrons
that are transferred or
shared when atoms bond
together.
Properties of Metals
Metals are good conductors
of heat and electricity.
Metals are shiny.
Metals are ductile (can be
stretched into thin wires).
Metals are malleable (can
be pounded into thin
sheets).
A chemical property of
metal is its reaction with
water which results in
corrosion.
Properties of Non-Metals
Non-metals are poor
conductors of heat and
electricity.
Non-metals are not
ductile or malleable.
Solid non-metals are
brittle and break
easily.
They are dull.
Many non-metals are
gases.
Sulfur
Properties of Metalloids
Metalloids (metal-like)
have properties of both
metals and non-metals.
They are solids that can
be shiny or dull.
They conduct heat and
electricity better than non-
metals but not as well as
metals.
They are ductile and
malleable.
Silicon
Families Periods
Columns of elements are Each horizontal row of
called groups or families. elements is called a period.
Elements in each family have The elements in a period
similar but not identical are not alike in properties.
properties.
In fact, the properties
For example, lithium (Li), change greatly across even
sodium (Na), potassium (K),
given row.
and other members of family IA
are all soft, white, shiny metals.
The first element in a
period is always an
All elements in a family have
the same number of valence
extremely active solid. The
electrons.
last element in a period, is
always an inactive gas.
Hydrogen
The hydrogen square sits atop Family
AI, but it is not a member of that family.
Hydrogen is in a class of its own.
It’s a gas at room temperature.
It has one proton and one electron in its
one and only energy level.
Hydrogen only needs 2 electrons to fill
up its valence shell.
Alkali Metals
The alkali family is found in
the first column of the
periodic table.
Atoms of the alkali metals
have a single electron in
their outermost level, in
other words, 1 valence
electron.
They are shiny, have the
consistency of clay, and are
easily cut with a knife.
Alkali Metals
They are the most
reactive metals.
They react violently
with water.
Alkali metals are
never found as free
elements in nature.
They are always
bonded with
another element.
What does it mean to be
reactive?
We will be describing elements according to their
reactivity.
Elements that are reactive bond easily with other
elements to make compounds.
Some elements are only found in nature bonded
with other elements.
What makes an element reactive?
An incomplete valence electron level.
All atoms (except hydrogen) want to have 8 electrons in
their very outermost energy level (This is called the rule of
octet.)
Atoms bond until this level is complete. Atoms with few
valence electrons lose them during bonding. Atoms with 6,
7, or 8 valence electrons gain electrons during bonding.
5
Alkaline Earth Metals
They are never found uncombined in nature.
They have two valence electrons.
Alkaline earth metals include magnesium
and calcium, among others.
Transition Metals
Transition Elements
include those elements
in the B families.
These are the metals
you are probably most
familiar: copper, tin,
zinc, iron, nickel, gold,
and silver.
They are good
conductors of heat and
electricity.
Transition Metals