Score = ______/ 20 points
Name _________________________ Period ______
Lab – Alien Periodic Table
You are a part of a collection of scientists who have been chosen to assist a group of alien
scientists. In order to be able to converse scientifically, you must learn their language, and most
importantly, you must arrange their elements according to the trends that exist in the periodic table. Below
are clues for the alien's elements. So far, the aliens have only discovered elements in groups 1, 2, and
13-18, and periods 1-5. Although the names of the elements are different, they must correspond to our
elements if our belief of universal elements holds true. Read each clue carefully, and then place the
symbol for that clue's element in the blank periodic table provided.
Alien Periodic Table – 1/2 pt per correct element
1
18
1
2
13
14
15
16
17
2
3
4
5
Alien Element Descriptions
1. The inert gases are Bombal (Bo), Wobble (Wo), Jeptum (J), and Logon (L). Bombal (Bo) is a
noble gas but does not have 8 valence electrons. The energy level for the valence electrons in
Logon (L) is the second energy level. Of these noble gases, Wobble (Wo) has the greatest atomic
mass.
2. The alkali metals are Xtalt (X), Byyou (By), Chow (Ch), and Quackzil (Q). Of these alkali metals,
Chow (Ch) has the lowest atomic mass. Quackzil (Q) is in the same period as Wobble (Wo).
3. The halogens are Apstrom (A), Vulcania (V), and Kratt (Kt). Vulcania (V) is in the same period as
Quackzil (Q) and Wobble (Wo).
4. The metalloids are Ernst (E), Highho (Hi), Terriblum (T), and Sississ (Ss). Sississ (Ss) is the
metalloid with the highest atomic mass. Ernst (E) is the metalloid with the lowest atomic mass.
Highho (Hi) and Terriblum (T) are in group 14. T has more protons than Hi. The element Yazzer
(Yz) should be a metalloid by location, but it is actually classified as very light metal.
5. The most metallic element on the planet is called Xtalt (X). The most chemically active nonmetal
on the planet is called Apstrom (A). The lightest element on the planet is called Pfsst (Pf). The
heaviest element on the planet is Elrado (El).
6. The chemical makeup of the alien planet’s oceans seems to be about the same as Earth’s
oceans. When sea water evaporates, the liquid that is condensed has been shown to have
molecules consisting of two atoms of Pfsst (Pf) and one atom of Nuutye (Nu). The solid left
behind after the distillation consists mainly of a crystal made up of the elements Byyou (By) and
Kratt (Kt)
7. The element called Doggone (D) has only 4 protons in its atom.
8. Floxxit (Fx) is commonly found as a black powder on the alien planet, but can also be found as a
rare, colorless crystal. Both of these forms has 4 valence electrons.
9. Both Rhaatrap (R) and Doadeer (Do) have their valence electrons in the fourth energy level, but
Rhaatrap is less metallic than Doadeer.
10. Magnificon (M), Goldy (G), and Sississ (Ss) are all members of Group 15. Goldy has fewer total
electrons than Magnificon.
11. Urrp (Up), Oz (Oz) and Nuutye (Nu) all need to gain 2 electrons to become stable like the noble
gases. Nuutye is diatomic when found pure as an element and Oz has a lower atomic number
than Urrp.
12. The element Anatom (An) has 3 valence electrons. The elements Zapper (Z) and Pie (Pi) both
have 2 valence electrons. The valence electrons in Pie are found in its fifth energy level, while
Zapper has valence electrons in the third energy level.
Follow – Up Questions
1) Explain how are elements are defined as either “less metallic” or “more metallic” based upon their
location on the periodic table. (2 pts)
2) The location of the valence electrons are referred to by their energy level in many of the clues above.
How does the energy level of the valence electrons correspond to the elements location on the periodic
table? (1 pt)
3) Using our notes, explain why one of the elements on the alien periodic table can be considered an
allotrope. (2 pts)