A Matter of Matter:
Classifying Symbols, Metals, and
Elements
A Peer Lesson by Dylan
Jonas
Describing Chemical Symbols
•
Chemical symbols act like a universal
language that all scientists of any dialect
can understand when comparing research.
•
A chemical symbol is an abbreviation of an
element in which is to represent its name.
For example, F stands for Fluorine.
•
Every chemical symbol starts with a
capital letter. If more than one letter is
present, it is lowercased. For example, in
Pb, which stands for Lead, the “b” must
be lowercased.
•
Uppercased Letters help group elements
together without confusion. Two separate
elements put together would mean that
they are normally two separate reactants
in a chemical equation.
Modeling Matter
• A model is a useful • Most of the time,
tool to help
models are used to
understand and
visualize something
demonstrate the
microscopic that we
properties or
cant physically see.
behavior of
something.
• In the instance of
Elements, as seen in these
pictures below, can be
modeled to describe
chemical bonds and
reactions between
differing atoms.
A closer look at Elements
• Natural elements can be
comprised of two classes:
these are known as Metals and
Nonmetals.
• These are only identifiable by
their properties
 Metals are defined by physical properties like
luster, ductility, conductivity, and malleability.
 Nonmetals are defined by brittleness, lack of
luster, and non-conductivity.
• There are also Metalloids, and
can posses both properties of
Metals and Nonmetals,
depending on the element.
Defining the Physical Properties of Elements
Metals:
 Luster- gives of a shining
appearance, as if its brand new.
 Ductility- ability to be bent or
mended into shapes such as wire.
 Conductivity- Ability to direct
electricity.
 Malleability- Ability to be crushed
without breaking, and pressure into
sheets.
Nonmetals:
 Lack Luster- no shiny reflection and is
usually dull in appearance, as if it was
old.
 Non-Conductive- inability to direct
electricity or direct it efficiently.
 Brittleness- breaks apart into pieces
when put under to much pressure.
 Metalloids are a mixture between the two, and
posses whichever properties depending on the
varying elements they are.
Now it’s your turn…
Quiz Time!
1)Which represents one element?
2)Which represents two elements?
CO
2
Sc
The Blue icon represents one elements, and the Green icon represents two elements.
3) Referring to the legend on slide 3, determine
how many of which atoms are in this compound.
There are:
• 2 carbon atoms
• 2 oxygen atoms
• 4 hydrogen atoms
4) Telling from how these aluminum atoms are
placed in this model, what can be said about this
element’s properties?
Aluminum is malleable, which
allows it to be pressured into thin,
fine sheets without breaking.
5)Which of these are metal and which are
nonmetal?
6)How can you tell?
This element,
Osmium, is a Metal.
This can be seen from
it’s shininess.
This element,
Phosphorus, is a
Nonmetal. This
can be seen from
its dull
appearance.
This element, Copper,
is a Metal. This can be
seen because it’s
been pressured into
sheets.
This element, Sulfur, is
a Nonmetal. Then can
be seen because its
been crushed into
pieces.
7) What is significant about the blue and
yellow fill-ins for some of the text?
They represent the classification on your
Periodic Table Handout! Blue represented the
Metals, and Green represented the Nonmetals!