Concept 3: Periodic Table of Elements
Questions & Answers
Groups - ANSWERSThe vertical columns on the periodic table.
Periods - ANSWERSThe horizontal rows on the periodic table.
Explain the structure of the electron cloud. Include how many electrons are held on
each level, where valence electrons are, and which electrons are the craziest. -
ANSWERSThe electron cloud is outside the nucleus, two electrons can be held on
energy level 1, eight electrons can be held on energy level 2 and 3, and eighteen
electrons can be held on energy level 4. The valence electrons are always on the
outermost shell which is where the electrons are the craziest.
Explain why the elements in the same group have similar properties. -
ANSWERSElements in the same group have similar properties because they all have
the same amount of valence electrons.
Describe the pattern/shared characteristics of elements in the same group vs. the same
period. - ANSWERSIf they're in the same group, they have similar valence electrons
(groups 3-12 have 2 valence electrons; groups 13-18 always have a group # that is ten
more than the number of valence electrons that group has).
If they're in the same period they have the same number of energy levels in their
electron cloud.
List the names and any special characteristics for groups 1, 2, 3, 3-12, 17, and 18. -
ANSWERS• Group 1 = Alkali metals - Most reactive metals - Doesn't include Hydrogen.
• Group 2 = Alkaline earth metals.
• Group 3 = Rare earth metals.
• Groups 3-12 = Transition metals.
• Group 17 = Halogens- Most reactive nonmetals.
• Group 18 = Noble gases -Nonreactive in nature.
Differentiate between the characteristics of metals, nonmetals, and metalloids. Include
their general location on the periodic table. - ANSWERS- Metals are shiny and solid.
They are good conductors and located to the left of the metalloids on the periodic table.
Questions & Answers
Groups - ANSWERSThe vertical columns on the periodic table.
Periods - ANSWERSThe horizontal rows on the periodic table.
Explain the structure of the electron cloud. Include how many electrons are held on
each level, where valence electrons are, and which electrons are the craziest. -
ANSWERSThe electron cloud is outside the nucleus, two electrons can be held on
energy level 1, eight electrons can be held on energy level 2 and 3, and eighteen
electrons can be held on energy level 4. The valence electrons are always on the
outermost shell which is where the electrons are the craziest.
Explain why the elements in the same group have similar properties. -
ANSWERSElements in the same group have similar properties because they all have
the same amount of valence electrons.
Describe the pattern/shared characteristics of elements in the same group vs. the same
period. - ANSWERSIf they're in the same group, they have similar valence electrons
(groups 3-12 have 2 valence electrons; groups 13-18 always have a group # that is ten
more than the number of valence electrons that group has).
If they're in the same period they have the same number of energy levels in their
electron cloud.
List the names and any special characteristics for groups 1, 2, 3, 3-12, 17, and 18. -
ANSWERS• Group 1 = Alkali metals - Most reactive metals - Doesn't include Hydrogen.
• Group 2 = Alkaline earth metals.
• Group 3 = Rare earth metals.
• Groups 3-12 = Transition metals.
• Group 17 = Halogens- Most reactive nonmetals.
• Group 18 = Noble gases -Nonreactive in nature.
Differentiate between the characteristics of metals, nonmetals, and metalloids. Include
their general location on the periodic table. - ANSWERS- Metals are shiny and solid.
They are good conductors and located to the left of the metalloids on the periodic table.
