Chemistry Periodic Table

Describe the relationship between a transmutation and a synthetic element.

A transmutation can be used to create a synthetic element.

What led Mendeleev to predict that some elements had not been discovered yet?

When he created his periodic table, he saw there were gaps in it and he could predict the characteristics of the elements that should go in those gaps.

Why do groups within the main-group elements show similar chemical behavior?

Elements in each group have the same number of valence electrons, which determine how reactive elements are.

Which group of elements is the most unreactive, why?

Group 8, the noble gases, because they have all of their energy levels filled.

Why are the alkaline earth metals less reactive than the alkali metals?

The alkali metals only have one electron in the outer shell, which is easier to get rid of than the two electrons that alkaline earth metals have in their outer shell.

Explain why the transition metals are sometimes referred to as the d block elements.

The electrons that are added to this block of elements are added to the d orbitals.

Why is a transmutation classified as a nuclear reaction?

Nuclear reactors deal with the nucleus and a transmutation is the fusion of nuclei to create an atom with larger mass.

Why can period 1 contain a maximum number of two elements?

Principle energy level 1, s, can only hold 2 electrons.

According to scientifically supported theories, how and where did the natural elements form?

The Big Bang happened and everything cooled. Protons, neutrons, and electrons formed. Then hydrogen formed and then stars formed and made elements. Supernovas made elements after iron.

How do the valence electron configurations of the alkali metals compare with each other?

They all have a valence electron configuration of 1.

Halogens are extremely reactive. Why? What group are they most reactive with?

They are extremely reactive because they only need one more electron to have all of their energy levels filled. They are most reactive with group 1, the alkali metals.

What do elements in the same group have in common?

They have similar chemical properties and the same number of valence electrons.

What do elements in the same period have in common?

They have the same number of occupied energy levels.