Atoms and the Periodic Table
Matter on the Macroscopic Scale
● Elements - pure substances that can not be broken down into simpler
substances by physical or chemical means
● Metals
○ High electrical conductivity that decreases with increasing temp
○ High thermal conductivity
○ Metallic gray or silver luster
■ Except copper and gold
○ Almost all are solids
■ Except mercury, cesium and gallium melt on a hot summer
day or when held in a person's hand
○ Malleable (can be hammered into sheets)
○ Ductile (can be drawn into wires)
● Non-metals
○ Poor electrical conductivity
■ Except carbon in the form of graphite
○ Good heat insulators
■ Except carbon in the form of diamond
○ No metallic luster
○ Brittle in solid state
○ Non Ductile
● Groups and periods on the table:
○ Vertical columns - groups
■ Elements have similar chemical properties
○ Horizontal columns - periods
Matter on the Macroscopic Scale
● Elements - pure substances that can not be broken down into simpler
substances by physical or chemical means
● Metals
○ High electrical conductivity that decreases with increasing temp
○ High thermal conductivity
○ Metallic gray or silver luster
■ Except copper and gold
○ Almost all are solids
■ Except mercury, cesium and gallium melt on a hot summer
day or when held in a person's hand
○ Malleable (can be hammered into sheets)
○ Ductile (can be drawn into wires)
● Non-metals
○ Poor electrical conductivity
■ Except carbon in the form of graphite
○ Good heat insulators
■ Except carbon in the form of diamond
○ No metallic luster
○ Brittle in solid state
○ Non Ductile
● Groups and periods on the table:
○ Vertical columns - groups
■ Elements have similar chemical properties
○ Horizontal columns - periods
