The Periodic Table

6.5AStudents will know that an element is a

pure substance represented by chemical symbols.

The Basics

• The periodic table is a chart that is used to organize the elements.

• Everything on Earth is made up of these 111 elements.

• Elements are pure substances that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by ordinary means.

Matter• All matter on Earth is made up of elements. • You might think of them as building blocks

that can be put together in different ways to make up everything on Earth.

Legoland

Symbols

• On the periodic table, each element is listed with its chemical symbol and atomic number; many versions of the table also list the element's atomic mass.

• Use the key like the one shown below.

Chemical Symbols

• All elements are shown with one or two letter symbols.

• The first letter is always a capital letter. The other letter is always lower case.

• This is important so readers know CO is a combination of Carbon and Oxygen while Co is the element Cobalt.

Arrangement of Elements• Elements are listed in order of increasing

atomic number.• The atomic numbers get bigger on the chart

from left to right going across in rows.• Elements with properties in common are

grouped together

Groups

• The elements on the periodic table are arranged so that elements with similar properties fall into the same vertical column.

• These vertical columns are called groups or families.

• Some groups have names such as the Noble gases shown here.

Periods

• A period is a horizontal row in the periodic table of the elements

Metals, Metalloids and Nonmetals• Metals and Nonmetals are separated with a

stair-step line• Metals are to the left of the line and

nonmetals are to the right. • Elements on the line are metalloids.• We will learn more about the properties of

these groups later.

Metals, Metalloids, & Nonmetals

Notice that Aluminum (Al) touches the line but is a metal. Hydrogen (H) is on

the other side and is a nonmetal.

On Your Copy of the Periodic Table…

• Draw and label arrows for :• Periods

• Groups

Metals, Metalloids, and Nonmetals

• You know that Oxygen is a gas and IS NOT a metal. Find it and circle it. Above this section, write NONMETALS.

Nonmetals

Metalloids and Exceptions

• Now, trace the stair-step line and write in metalloids.

• Remember Aluminum and Hydrogen are exceptions. Mark them with a light X.

metalloids

Metals

• Find Gold (Au).• You know that it is a metal.• Circle it and write METALS in the section

above it.

metalloids

Metals

Why use the Periodic Table?

• The main value of the periodic table is the ability to predict the chemical properties of an element based on its location on the table.

• Elements can be located quickly and are displayed in an easy to read format

• Now, you have all the information you need ready on your periodic table.