Introduction
Elements are the basis of all life. Everything is made from elements. Scientists have been discovering and studying elements for hundreds of years.
A lot of the work of the early chemists was aied at identifying elements by finding differences between them, rather than looking for similarities. However, about 200 years ago, scientists realised that some elements were similar to each other and could be grouped together. Since then, many scientists have contributed to what has become the modern Periodic Table of the elements.
In this task you will learn about the organization of the periodic table and the different elements.
Task
In this task you will be allocated a group of elements and in teams of 3 or 4 work together to find the answers and information needed to design a poster to identify the elements and properties of your given periodic group.
PART 1- Answer the questions about the group you have been allocated
Use this site to fill in the blanks below:
** Alkali Metals**
a. What is the group number?
b. Are these metals reactive?
c. Do these metals occur freely in nature?
d. How many electrons are in their outer shell?
e. What are the three characteristics of ALL metals?
f. Are these metals soft or hard?
g. Name the two most reactive elements in this group?
h. What happens when they are exposed to water?
**Alkaline Earth Metals**
a. What is the group number?
b. Are these metals reactive?
c. Do these metals occur freely in nature?
d. How many electrons are in their outer shell? (Hint: It’s the same as their oxidation number or group number.)
**Transition Metals**
a. How many elements are in this group?
b. What are the group numbers?
c. What are valence electrons?
d. Name the three elements in this family that produce a magnetic field.
**Other Metals**
a. How many elements are in this group?
b. What are the group numbers?
c. How are these other metals similar to the transition metals?
d. How are these metals different than the transition metals?
e. List three physical properties of these other metals.
f. What are the oxidation numbers for this group?
**Metalloids**
a. On your periodic table, draw the black stair-step line that distinguishes metals from nonmetals.
b. Metalloids have properties of both
c. Define semiconductor
d. Name 2 metalloids that are semi-conductors.
e. This property makes metalloids useful in......
**Nonmetals**
a. What are the group numbers?
b. List four characteristics of ALL nonmetals.
c. What two states of matter do nonmetals exist in at room temperature?
d. The nonmetals have no _______________and do not ___________
e. What are the oxidation numbers of the nonmetals?
**Halogens**
a. What is the halogen group number?
b. Are halogens metals or nonmetals?
c. The term “halogen” means ____________________ and compounds containing halogens are called ____________________.
d. How many electrons are in their outer shell? __________________
e. What is their oxidation number? ___________________
f. What states of matter do halogens exist in at room temperature?
**Noble Gases**
a. What is the group number?
b. Why were these gases considered to be inert or stable?
c. What is their oxidation number?
**Rare Earth Elements**
a. How many Rare Earth elements are there?
b. Define trans-uranium.
c. The Rare Earth metals are found in group _______________and periods ______________and
PART B
Now that you have the information and answers, design a poster with your group members highlighting all the special features about your chosen group of elements.
Make it colourful and be as imaginative as you like.
All posters will be hung up in the lab!