Mr. Chapman
Science 9
Norquay School
: Basics & Terminology
The periodic table is composed of rows and columns of elements.
Some important definitions:
Element – an element cannot be reduced to a simpler substance by normal means. An atom is
a certain type of element based on its number of protons.
Examples:
Compound – a compound is a pure substance composed of two or more different elements.
Examples:
Mr. Chapman
Science 9
Norquay School
Periodic Table Basic Information
A row on the periodic table is called a period.
A column on the periodic table is called a group.
A group on the period table is often referred to as a chemical family. All of the elements in a
chemical family typically react in a very similar way, because each element in the family has the
same number of valence electrons.
There are 4 important chemical families for you to remember:
1. Alkali metals (group 1) – the alkali metals are very soft, and are very reactive. They
react violently with water to form an alkaline solution.
2. Alkaline-earth metals (group 2) – these metals are not as soft as group 1 metals, and
not quite as reactive. However, they still react with water to form new compounds.
3. Halogens (group 17) – the halogens are extremely reactive, because they only need
one electron to fill their outer shell. They are gases at room temperature.
4. Noble gases (group 18) – the noble gases are called noble because they do not react
with other elements. This is because they have a full outer shell of electrons.
Mr. Chapman
Science 9
Norquay School
The transition metals are in the middle block of the periodic table.
The periodic table is also divided into metals and non-metals by a staircase, which can be found
on the right side of the periodic table. Everything on the left of the staircase (except hydrogen)
is a metal, and everyone on the right of the staircase is a non-metal.
Metalloids are elements that are right along the staircase, in between metals and non-metals.
Mr. Chapman
Science 9
Norquay School
Please complete the following questions for the periodic table:
1. Identify each of the following elements as either a metal or a non-metal:
Carbon –
Oxygen –
Gold –
Magnesium –
Phosphorus –
2. What is another name for a chemical group?
3. What family do each of the following elements belong to?
Sodium –
Beryllium –
Bromine –
Xenon –
4. Would you expect potassium or calcium to react more intensely with water? Explain
your answer.