The Periodic Table
6.5A
Students 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.
• Elements are pure substances that cannot be
broken down into smaller substances.
• Everything on Earth is made up of these 109
elements.
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
Symbols
• On the periodic table, each element is listed
with its element symbol and atomic number;
many versions of the table also list the
element's atomic mass
• Use the key like the one shown below.
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
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
• Metalloids touch the line
• Metals are shiny, malleable (able to shape),
and conductors of heat and electricity
• Nonmetals are dull, brittle, and nonconductors or insulators. Many are gases.
• Metalloids have characteristics of each.
• We will learn more about these groups in
another lesson.
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 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.
Metals
metalloids
• Now, you have all the information you need
ready on your periodic table.