CHEMISTRY STUDY GUIDE • UNIT 3
Chemical Foundations and the Periodic Table (Chapter 3)
Unit Goals (“During this unit I will…”)
1. Develop an understanding of the historical and modern models of the structure of the atom and how
these models evolved over time.
2. Develop a working knowledge of the basic design of the modern Periodic Table and its use in
determining information about the structure of an atom.
3. Compare and contrast isotopes and ions in terms of their structural similarities and differences.
4. Develop a working knowledge of how to use an element’s position on the Periodic Table to
determine many of its chemical and physical properties.
PA Academic Standards - Science & Technology
3.1.10.C. Apply and assess patterns as repeated processes or recurring elements in science and
technology.
 Examine and describe recurring patterns that form the basis of…chemical periodicity...
 Assess and apply recurring patterns in natural and technological systems.
 Compare and contrast structure and function relationships as they relate to patterns.
3.4.10.A. Explain concepts about the structure and properties of matter.
 Know that atoms are composed of even smaller sub-atomic structures whose properties
are measurable.
 Explain the repeating pattern of chemical properties by using the repeating patterns of
atomic structure within the periodic table.
Essential Skills (“Upon completion of this unit I should be able to…”)
YES
I Can!
 Describe the relative abundance of elements in various locations in the universe. (3.1)
 Describe, both verbally and in writing, the history of atomic theory beginning with the ancient
Greeks to the present day. (3.3, 3.5, 3.6)
 Describe, in detail, the significance of Dalton’s Atomic Theory (3.3)
 Describe the contributions of J.J. Thomson, Ernest Rutherford, and James Chadwick to our
modern understanding of the atom
 Describe, with relevant details, how the modern model of the atom evolved as new information
was discovered. (3.3-3.6)
Essential Skills (“Upon completion of this unit I should be able to…”)
YES
I Can!
 Describe the general layout of the modern Periodic Table. (3.8)
 Recognize the common groups (families) of the Periodic Table. (3.8)
 Correctly determine the number of protons, neutrons and electrons of an atom based on
information provided on the Periodic Table. (3.7)
 Correctly identify and distinguish between various isotopes of an element, based on differences in
structure. (3.7)
 Recognize the “silly seven” (7) elements which exist as diatomic molecules. (3.9)
 Correctly determine the number of protons, neutrons and electrons of an ion based on information
provided on the Periodic Table. (3.10)
 Correctly identify an element’s common oxidation state based on its position on the Periodic Table.
(3.10)
 Recognize how ions of opposite charges may combine to form neutral ionic compounds. (3.11)
 Contrast the oxidation numbers of metals and nonmetals. Explain this difference in terms of atomic
structure and position on the Periodic Table. (3.10)
 Compare and contrast the terms anion and cation (3.10)
 Correctly answer any of the “blue” numbered questions on pp. 80-83.