C9: The Periodic Table of Elements Project
Group 1:
Describe the way the Periodic Table classifies elements in order of proton number.
 Review the structure of an atom, how to read the periodic table (calculating number of
protons, neutrons, and electrons)
Use the Periodic Table to predict properties of elements by means of groups and periods.
 What is a group? What is a period?
 What sort of characteristics do elements in specific groups have in common? Give
examples.
 Review the concept of ions. How do atoms become ions? What information about ionic
charge does the periodic table give us?
Group 2:
Describe the change from metallic to non-metallic character across a period.
 What are the properties of metals? Nonmetals? Metalloids?
 How do these properties change as you move from left to right across the periodic table?
o Give examples of specific elements in your explanation. Include pictures.
Describe the relationship between Group number, number of outer-shell (valency) electrons
and metallic/non-metallic character.
 Review the concept of valence electrons. How many electrons can each shell hold? Give
at least two examples.
 Discuss how metals and nonmetals can form ionic bonds and how two or more
nonmetals can form covalent bonds. Give examples.
Group 3:
Describe lithium, sodium and potassium in Group I as a collection of relatively soft metals
showing a trend in melting point and reaction with water.
 Give some background information about the elements in Group 1, include pictures.
 Create a graph using the database provided to obtain melting points for each element in
group 1. Plot atomic # on the x axis and melting point in degrees C on the y axis.
o Your graph must be created digitally and you should be prepared to explain
the data (why does melting point change as you go down the group?).
 Find a video clip that shows the reactivity of Group 1 metals with water.
Predict the properties of other elements in Group I, given data where appropriate.
Group 4:
Describe the trends in properties of chlorine, bromine and iodine in Group VII including
colour, physical state and reactions with other halide ions.
 Give some background information about the elements in Group VII, include pictures.
 Create a graph using the database provided to obtain boiling points for each element in
group VII. Plot atomic # on the x axis and boiling point in degrees C on the y axis.
o Your graph must be created digitally and you should be prepared to explain
the data (why does boiling point change as you go down the group?).
 Discuss why the halogens are so reactive. Describe how they react with other halide
ions.
Predict the properties of other elements in Group VII, given data where appropriate.
Group 5:
Describe the transition elements as a collection of metals having high densities, high melting
points and forming coloured compounds, and which, as elements and compounds, often act
as catalysts.
 Choose at least 6 transition metals to use as examples in your description of the
transition metals (see Miss James for suggestions). Use pictures of these elements to
help describe their properties.
 Review the concept of density. What does it mean for a metal to have a high density?
 Use the element database to report melting points for the elements you selected. What
does it mean for an element to have a high melting point?
 What is a catalyst? Review this concept and discuss how transition metals can often act
as catalysts.
Group 6:
Describe the noble gases as being unreactive.
 Give some background information about the elements in Group VIII, include pictures.
 Why are noble gases unreactive? Explain using the idea of valence electrons and the
octet rule.
 Create a graph using the database provided to obtain boiling points for each element in
group VIII. Plot atomic # on the x axis and boiling point in degrees C on the y axis.
o Your graph must be created digitally and you should be prepared to explain
the data (why does boiling point change as you go down the group?).
Describe the uses of the noble gases in providing an inert atmosphere, i.e. argon in lamps,
helium for filling balloons.
 Explain the primary uses of the noble gases and include pictures where possible. Why
are the noble gases used in these ways?