Physical Science 9
Unit 4: Organizing the Elements: The Periodic Table
Activity #1: Introduction to the Periodic Table
#1
To Begin
In your notebook, start a new page with a heading for Unit IV: Organizing the Elements: The Periodic Table. Use
this section to keep notes on the topics we will be covering this unit.
What is the Periodic Table? The Periodic Table is a key to unlocking information about the elements. To date, there
are around 120 known types of atoms or elements. Of these, about 90 elements can be found in nature. All matter is
made of these elements. The rest usually the heavier ones (from Uranium onwards) no longer exist or are found only in
traces. These heavier elements, however, can be produced in a nuclear reactor.
All known elements are arranged systematically according to the number of protons in their atomic nuclei and
grouped according to their chemical properties (notice how the number above each element on the Periodic Table
increases as you move from left to right). As we explore the periodic table this Unit, we will learn more about other
trends and properties of the Periodic Table.
Learning Goals
Students will be able to…
 Define element, atomic number, and atomic mass.
 Understand how to use the Periodic Table as a tool to better understand the properties of elements.
Process & Procedure
Part I. Definitions
1. Using the Internet or prior knowledge, define the following terms in your notebook: elemental name, atomic
number, atomic mass (weight), and atomic (elemental) symbol.
2. Identify the element’s name, atomic number, atomic mass, and atomic symbol in the figure below.
Part II. Find an Element
1. Go the following website: www.ptable.com/
2. Many elements are very common in our lives. Find the elements listed below, and fill in the table.
Element
Atomic Symbol
Common Use
Atomic Number
Atomic Mass
Oxygen
What we breathe
Au
Silver
Jewelry
Al
Calcium
Cu
Iron
Sodium
Cl
Household cleaners
2
In toothpaste
18.99
Part III. Scavenger Hunt (using ptable.com)
1. Find Oxygen on the Periodic Table.
2. Click the Properties tab.
3. How many protons does Oxygen have?________ How many electrons does Oxygen have if it is
complete/neutral?_______
4. What is the melting point of Oxygen? _________ What is the boiling point of Oxygen? _________
5. Oxygen is in what group?__________ (Hint: There are 18 groups in the Periodic Table. To find the group,
look at the numbers that go across the top of the periodic table.) ___________
6. Oxygen is in what period? (Hint: There are 7 periods in the periodic table. To find the period, look at the
numbers that are on the left side of the periodic table and increase as you go down.) _________
7. What year was Oxygen discovered? __________
8. Click on Abundance. From the pop-up menu, select Ocean. How abundant is Oxygen in the ocean? _____
9. Change the abundance to human on the right. What is the abundance of Oxygen in humans?_________ the
universe?___________
10. Click Radius. This refers to the radius of the atom (atomic radius). From the pop-up menu, select Empirical
radius (meaning observed and measured). What is the atomic radius of Oxygen? _________
11. Did you write the unit for the radius? A pm (picometer) is very small. Use the internet to find out how small!
1 picometer (pm) is = ______________meter. 1 meter = ______________picometer (pm)
Part III. Pick an Element, Any Element (using ptable.com)
1. Choose an element on the Periodic Table and answer the questions below:
What is the name of the element?
What is the atomic symbol of the element?
What is the atomic number?
What is the atomic weight (including units)?
What period and what group is this element found?
Define these terms in your notebook!
Name two facts that you learned about this element.
What is this element used for? Applications?
Part IV. Elemental Groups (using ptable.com)
You may have noticed that the Periodic Table on the website is
colored. These colors represent different groups (i.e. alkali
metals, alkaline earth metals, etc.). Using the website, make a
key and color in the ten groups listed on the Periodic Table
shown below on your own large copy of the periodic table.
Part V. States of Matter (using ptable.com): You may also notice that
the Periodic Table highlights the state of matter each of the elements is
at standard temperature (0 C) and pressure.
1. How many elements are a liquid at standard temperature
and pressure? ___________
2. Find the elements that are liquid at standard temperature and pressure and put a bold box around them.
3. How many elements are a gas at standard temperature and pressure? _____________
4. Where are most of the gases located on the Periodic Table? ____________
Part VI. Patterns and Trends (using ptable.com). The Periodic Table is named so because it displays patterns and
trends of the atoms that repeat periodically. From the Properties tab select Empirical Radius. Once selected, the
bottom number in each element box is that atom’s atomic radius (pm).
1. What can you say about the general trend of this property as you move across each period (row) from left
to right?:
__________________________________________________________________________________
As you move down a Group (column)?
______________________________________________________________
2. Select Electronegativity. Describe the trend of this property as you move from left to right along a row.
_________________________________________________________________________________
As you move down a Group (column)?
______________________________________________________________