Arranging the elements

Scientists have developed a very useful way of arranging the elements. This is called the Periodic Table.
The full Periodic Table, containing all of the 118 known elements, is very large and complex! (You may have one on the wall of your science laboratory) For now, we will look at just the first 20 elements.

Groups and periods

The Periodic Table is organised in rows and columns. The rows are called periods. The columns are called groups.
The atoms are organised so that, as you read across each row (period) from left to right, the atoms increase in mass. Hydrogen atoms have the smallest mass, then helium atoms, then lithium atoms.

Metals and non-metals

The Periodic Table is organised so that elements with similar properties are close together.
In the diagram of the Periodic Table on the opposite page, all the elements that are metals are in yellow boxes. All the elements that are non-metals are in blue boxcs.

Questions

 

To answer these questions, you will need to think back to your carlier work on metals and non-metals.

7) Describe two properties that the elements in the first two columns of the Periodic Table share with one another.

8) Describe two properties that the elements in the last two columns of the Periodic Table share with one another.

9) The photographs show six different clements. For cach photograph, decide whether the element is a metal or non-metal. Give a reason for your choice.