Chemistry Methodology

Periodic Table : Elements

To revise work covered in KS3

To differentiate between elements

PT1aHF and compounds & metals and

non-metals

Chemical substances can either be made up from just one type of

atom or may contain many different atoms.

To recall simple properties of metals

and non-metals.

Two words, element and compound, are used to describe these

two types ways of grouping substances together.

Oxygen

Hydrogen

Hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2) gases are examples of

elements. They are pure substances which cannot be
chemically broken down into anything simpler
Water

Rust

Iron oxide (FeO) and water (H2O) are examples of

compounds. Theses substances can be broken down into
simpler substances.
What is special about the atoms in an element ?

A compound is formed when _______ or more different ____________ combine together

(chemical bonding). When the metal zinc and the non-metal chlorine join together they form
a compound called ______ ___________. Non-metals can join together for example
hydrogen gas and chlorine can join to make __________ __________.
There are just over 100 different elements but many millions of compounds.
Most of the elements are ___________. With one exception, mercury, metals are all ______
at room temperature. They usually have _______ melting points and are ____________ of
electricity and heat. They are ________ when polished (lustrous) and can be easily
hammered or _______ into shape. Many are ductile and can be drawn out into wires.
Important metals include a family called transition elements which include _________ (Cu),
_________ (Zn) and Gold (___).
Less than a quarter of the ___________ are non-metals; half of these are gases and one,
bromine, is a __________ at room temperature. This suggests that non-metals have ____
melting and boiling points. Solid non-metals like yellow _________ are usually _____ in their
appearance and are ______ and crumbly. They are poor conductors of ________ and
electricity (insulators).
One family of non-metals includes the noble gases - these include Helium (He), _______
(Ne), ____________ (Ar) and Xenon (Xe).
solids
heat
low
two
hydrogen chloride

conductors
Copper
elementsworked
elements
high
Au
dull
zinc chloride
shiny
Sulphur
liquid

Neon
Argon
low

Chemistry Methodology

History of the Periodic Table

PT1aHF

To know that the Periodic Table is

based on the patterns spotted by
scientists
To predict values and the
behaviour of chemical elements
from scientists' prior work.

The modern periodic table has been designed to place

elements into rows and columns according to their behaviour
and the numbers given to their atoms.
What term is used to describe the table's vertical columns ?
What term is used to describe the table's horizontal rows ?

Before the modern Periodic Table, scientists had arranged certain chemicals into families.
Johann Dbereiner (1829) found that some elements could be grouped into threes (triads).
7

Lithium

Chlorine 35

Sodium

23

Potassium

39

Bromine

80

Iodine

127

What did Dbereiner notice about the element in the middle of each triad ?
Johann Dbereiner

John Newlands (1863) arranged the elements in order of increasing mass

but started a new list every eighth element.
New list
New list

J.A. Newlands

This is called the law of

octaves and though many
other scientists made fun
of his ideas, his ideas were
heading in the right direction.

From his list of elements highlight and

a family of similar elements.
Now explain what evidence you have for highlighting your choice:

In 1869, the Russian chemist Dmitri Mendeleev arranged the elements in a table, very similar
to the modern Periodic Table. However he did not stick to the order of atomic mass as
others had; he sometimes swapped elements to keep them in groups with similar properties
and he left blank spaces for elements which he believed had yet to be discovered.
For example in 1870 he left element 28 blank but made some predictions
about what it would be like. Find out the actual values and hence how close
he was for the element that was discovered some 15 years later.
"Eka-silicon"
Predicted mass

Actual name

= 72

Predicted density

= 5.5 g/cm

Actual mass

Burns to make liquid XO2

which will boil below 100oC

Actual density

Burns to make liquid GeO2

which boils at 84oC

Dmitri Ivanovich
Mendelev

Chemistry Methodology

History of the Periodic Table

PT1bHF

To use the patterns spotted by

scientists to predict values and
behaviour of chemical elements

1. This question looks at the idea behinds Dbereiner's Triads.

(a) Work out the atomic mass for the middle element from the average of elements on either side

(b) Use a Periodic Table to found out the actual masses. Comment on how close the answers are.
2 In Newland's Octaves the element scandium (Sc) would come directly after Calcium.
(a) Predict the mass number of scandium.

(b)

Explain how you arrived at your answer.

(c) It was suggested that, because of the jump in numbers, from chlorine to potassium there
was an element missing from in between the two.
Which element was found between these two ?
3 From Mendelev's table it is easy to make predictions about the behaviour of chemicals.
chlorine reacts with many of the elements. With magnesium it makes magnesium chloride,
which can be written as Mg1Cl2 (or more simply MgCl2). With aluminium it makes Al1Cl3.
Predict the formula of the missing substances reading your Periodic Table from left to right.
(a)
(b)
(c) Group 4 is the vertical column containing carbon (C), silicon (Si) and Lead (Pb).
When these elements are burned in pure oxygen they make dioxides
Fill in the missing information in these boxes using the PT from top to bottom.

24

23

88

137

133

59

90

91

Th Pa

58

74

92

238

60

75

64

65

93

94

244

62

77

Ir

45

27

95

63

78

96

64

79

197

47

108

29

97

65

80

201

48

30

Pt Au Hg

195

46

28

98

66

81

100

68

83

101

69

84

52

34

102

70

85

53

35

127

18

103

71

86

54

Xe

131

36

84

Dmitri Ivanovich
Mendelev

J. A. Newlands

Law of Octaves
Periodicity

Patterns in threes
Similarity every
Left spaces for undiscovered

eight elements
elements to save patterns

Try to identify these :

Elements with
Latin or Greek symbols

99

67

82

207

50

51

33

17

80

40

10

Ne

20

He

Group

Cl Ar

35.5

19

Group

Tl Pb Bi Po At Rn

49

119

32

16

32

16

Group

In Sn Sb Te

31

15

31

14

Group

Ga Ge As Se Br Kr

14

Si

28

12

Group

Np Pu Am Cm Bk Cf Es Fm Md No Lr

61

76

44

26

W Re Os

43

25

59

13

Al

27

11

Group

Ce Pr Nd Pm Sm Eu Gd Tb Dy Ho Er Tm Yb Lu

73

137

42

24

59

Try to identify these :

89

72

41

56

Atomic number

Cr Mn Fe Co Ni Cu Zn

55

26

Try to identify these :

88

Ac

57

40

23

52

Mass number

Fe Symbol

56

Zr Nb Mo Tc Ru Rh Pd Ag Cd

22

Ti

La Hf Ta

39

21

Sc

48

Noble gases

Semi-metals

Transition metals

Liquids and Gases

87

56

Fr Ra

55

Cs Ba

38

37

Rb Sr

20

85

19

Ca

40

39

12

11

Na Mg

Li Be

Key to features

Coloured elements

Period

Period

Period

Period

Period

Period

Period

Group

Group

Alkali metals

The Periodic Table of Elements

Triads

Chemistry Methodology

To use trends in properties of

Group 1 to suggest physical values

Group 1 : Alkali Metals

PT2aHF To investigate and recall the trend

in reactivity down Group 1

These metals are unusually 'light' metals and very reactive - they are
stored under oil to prevent corrosion because of this reactivity

To identify products of the reaction

between metals and water.

Look at the information on the first four members of this group

Name

Atomic
Number

Mpt
o
C

Density
3
kg /m

Lithium

180

530

Sodium

11

98

970

Potassium

19

63

400 lower than

expected 860

Rubidium

19

39

1500

Caesium has an atomic number of 55.

By plotting a scattergraph of the melting
point(y) against atomic number (x) predict the
melting point of caesium.
Repeat this to predict the density of Cs.
Predicted mpt
Predicted density

=
=

C
kg/m3

Experiment
Aim To observe and record the reaction of lithium, sodium and potassium with water.

Observations

Use the following space to write equations for each of these three very similar reactions

What is the trend in reactivity of the Alkali metals from lithium down to caesium ?
Explaining the reactivity
positive protons

This diagram shows an atom

of sodium before reacting

11p
12n

This is an atom of sodium

after reacting.

11e

11p
12n
10e

negative electrons

What happens to the sodium atom during a reaction?

Does it become positively charged or negatively charged after reaction ?
Lithium atoms are smaller and less reactive than sodium atoms. Potassium is more reactive than both
sodium and lithium. What can you suggest from this.

Chemistry Methodology

Group 7 : The Halogens

To collect data and determine

trends in properties of Group 7

PT3aHF To investigate and recall the trend

in reactivity down Group 7

These are typical non-metals and fairly reactive forming compounds

with many other elements. They are particularly hazardous and must
be treated with great care - usually handled in a fume cupboard.
The name Halogen means salt maker

Using your Periodic Table complete the following table on these non-metallic elements.
Name

Symbol

Chlorine

Atomic

Mass

number

number

Mpt

Bpt

-220

-188

-101

-35

-7

59

114

184

Astatine is a radioactive
element and so difficult
to study.
Suggest values for the
mpt and bpt of the fifth
element in this group.

Iodine

Bromine

Chlorine is a pale
.............. gas at
room temperature.
Chlorine has the

Bromine is a dense
.............. liquid and
releases a ...........
vapour. The formula

iodine is a shiny
.............. solid but
releases a ...........
vapour. The formula

formula Cl2 (g)

for bromine is ...2 (l)

for iodine is

.........

The halogens exist as diatomic molecules. What does this mean ?

Halogens have an order of reactivity. A more reactive halogen will displace bromine from sodium bromide.
This change can be made visible by adding starch.
Aim

You must wear goggles

throughout this experiment

To find the order of reactivity of Group 7 elements

Collect a clean dropping tile. Into the first dint add 3 drops
of potassium bromide (which has added starch). Into the
second add potassium chloride (also with added starch)
and potassium iodide (&starch) in the last dint.
Into a fourth dint add 3 drops of plain starch solution

3 drops of

Starch

3 drops of

Potassium
bromide

Now add 2 drops of chlorine water to each of the four dints

Compare the starch dint with the others. If there is a large
difference, place a tick in the appropriate box below.

KBr

KCl
3 drops of

Completely clean the tile and repeat with fresh samples

but add bromine water and then repeat with iodine solution..

Results
Salt solution
Potassium bromide
Potassium chloride
Potassium iodide
Conclusion
What is the order of reactivity ?

Bromine

Halogen used
Chlorine

3 drops of

Potassium
iodide

Potassium chloride

Iodine

KI

Cl2

Chemistry Methodology

Group 0 : The Noble Gases

This family of gases are found on the fair right hand side of the Periodic
Table. This therefore makes them non-metals like the Halogens. However
that this where the similarities end.

To collect data and determine

trends in properties of Group 0

PT4aHF To research common uses of

Group 0 (The Noble Gases).

Whereas the Halogens are diatomic, these are monoatomic. What do you think this means ?
Using your Periodic Table complete the following table on these non-metallic elements.

All of the Noble Gases are gases at room temperatures. They are found in the atmosphere and this is our main
source of these unreactive gases.
The Noble gases have
been given several names
such as the Inert Gases
and the Rare Gases.
However in a room 4m x
4m x 2.5m there is enough
argon to fill 370+ litre coke
bottles - not so rare !

Research Questions
Find a common (day to day) use for each of these elements

Helium

Neon

Argon

Krypton

Xenon

Radon

Most of these gases were discovered in the 1890's. The names scientists gave to each element were based on
Greek words (argos, kryptos, xenos). These were chosen because they are linked with their lack of reactivity.
Found out the meanings of the Greek names.

Although Helium and Neon do not react at all, others in the group have been forced into reacting with a Group 7
element. Which Halogen has formed compounds with the Noble Gases ?

Periodic Table : Transition Elements

PT3HF To recall that these metals form

These are metals found in the middle of

the Periodic Table. They behave like typical
metals - conduct electricity well, have
high melting points and are shiny (lustrous).
Name

Symbol

To collect data and determine

general properties of Transition El
coloured compounds
To identify catalytic uses of transition
elements

Atomic No

Mass No

Density

(no units)

(no units)

(g per cm )

Titanium

22

46

Chromium

24

52

Melting pt
0

Boiling pt
0

( C)

( C)

4.5

1660

3290

7.2

1890

2482

Iron

7.9

1540

2750

Nickel

8.9

1453

2730

Copper

2570

How does the information on these metals compare with the same properties you collected on
alkali metals ?

Another different between transition metals and alkali metals is that these metals often form
coloured compounds. Blonde hair contains titanium compounds and brown hair contains iron
compounds.
Aim

To make and
record the colours
of compounds
made using iron
and copper.

Pour 1cm of dilute

nitric acid into a
clean and dry boiling
tube.
Add a small sample

Heat gently in a
bunsen flame.
Do NOT boil.

Allow the acid

to cool.

If you are asked to

carry out the
experiment you
must wear
goggles
throughout.

Metal

When the acid has

become coloured
stop heating.

Slowly pour
the liquid into a
clean test

Reaction with nitric acid

Product name

Use a pipette
to add small
portions of
dilute
ammonia.
Shake the tube
carefully.

Reaction with ammonia

Transition elements are important in structures from building to hip replacements. Several
transition elements are used as catalysts to help reactions.
Find out and describe what a catalyst is ? Which transition metals are used as catalysts for
the following : Car exhausts, making ammonia, nitric acid and sulphuric acid.