The Periodic Table and Elements
A Map of the Elements
What the Table Shows
The periodic table arranges elements by increasing atomic number and groups elements with similar chemical properties together.
Important Patterns
Metals vs Nonmetals
Metals
- Shiny in many cases
- Good conductors
- Often form positive ions
Nonmetals
- Often dull
- Poorer conductors
- Often form negative ions or share electrons
Periodic Patterns
Elements in the same column often behave similarly because they have similar numbers of outer electrons.
What does the periodic table order elements by?
The modern periodic table is ordered by atomic number.
Correct answer: Atomic number
What is a vertical column in the periodic table called?
Vertical columns are called groups.
Correct answer: group
Why do elements in the same group often act similarly?
Similar outer electron arrangements lead to similar chemistry.
Correct answer: They have similar outer electron arrangements
Why This Helps
Once you know where an element sits in the periodic table, you can often make educated guesses about its reactivity and bonding behavior.
What do we call a horizontal row in the periodic table?
Horizontal rows are called periods.
Correct answer: period