Patterns in the Periodic Table
Periodic trends, Groups 1, 17 and 18, the reactivity series, extraction and rust prevention.
The lessons below are in teaching order. Work through them in turn, then come back after practice and use the outcomes on this page to choose what to review. Finishing a topic records participation only. Check your progress to see what you can answer independently and what to review next.
Lessons in order
- Patterns in the Periodic Table
8. Patterns in the Periodic Table
Learning goals
- describe the Periodic Table as an arrangement of the elements in the order of increasing proton (atomic) number
- describe how the position of an element in the Periodic Table is related to proton number and electronic configuration
- explain the similarities between the elements in the same group of the Periodic Table in terms of their electronic configuration
- describe the change from metallic to non-metallic character from left to right across a period of the Periodic Table
- describe the relationship between number of outer (valence) electrons and metallic/non-metallic character
- predict the properties of elements in Group 1 and Group 17 using the Periodic Table.
- describe lithium, sodium and potassium in Group 1 (the alkali metals) as a collection of relatively soft, low density metals showing a trend in melting point and in their reaction with water
- describe chlorine, bromine and iodine in Group 17 (the halogens) as a collection of diatomic non- metals showing a trend in colour, state and their displacement reactions with solutions of other halide ions
- describe the lack of reactivity of the elements in Group 18 (the noble gases) in terms of their electronic configurations.
- place in order of reactivity calcium, copper, (hydrogen), iron, lead, magnesium, potassium, silver, sodium and zinc by reference to the reactions, if any, of the metals with water, steam and dilute hydrochloric acid
- deduce the order of reactivity from a given set of experimental results
- describe the ease of obtaining metals from their ores by relating the elements to their positions in the reactivity series
- describe the essential conditions for the corrosion (rusting) of iron as the presence of oxygen and water; prevention of rusting can be achieved by placing a barrier around the metal, e.g. painting; greasing; plastic coating.