Periodic Table Must Knows

Halogens

All the elements in Group 17 are nonmetals and called halogens, except for astatine, which is a radioactive metalloid.

Atomic Mass

Atomic Mass refers to the "weight" of the atom. It is derived at by adding the number of protons with the number of neutrons.

Periods

Elements found in the same horizontal rows. Each element does not have similar properties.

Groups

Elements found in the same vertical columns. Each element in each group has similar but not identical properties.

Atomic Symbol

It can consist of a single capital letter, or a capital letter and one or two lower case letters. Each symbol is unique to a specific element. Examples: C = Carbon, Si = Silicon

Metalloids

Metalloids (metal-like) have properties of both metals and non-metals. They are solids, can be shiny or dull, conduct heat and electricity better than non-metals but not as well as metals and are ductile and malleable.

Electrons

Negatively charged particles. Found outside the nucleus of the atom. Equal to the number of protons.

Neutrons

Neutral particles; have no electric charge. Help make up the nucleus of the atom. Contribute to the atomic mass.

Noble Gases

Noble Gases are colorless gases that are extremely un-reactive. They are found in group 18 which is the far right of the periodic table. One important property of the noble gases is their inactivity. They are inactive because their outermost energy level is full.

Protons

Positively charged particles. Help make up the nucleus of the atom. Make up the atomic number of the atom.

Alkali Metals

The alkali family is found in the first column of the periodic table. Atoms of the alkali metals have a single electron in their outermost level, in other words, 1 valence electron only.

Atomic Number

The atomic number refers to how many protons an atom of that element has. This number is unique to a specific element and can also tell you how many electrons an atom has because P=E.

Alkaline Earth Metals

They are found in the second column of the periodic table. Each elements has two valence electrons. Alkaline earth metals include magnesium and calcium.

Valence Electrons

This is the outermost electron(s) of an atom that participates in chemical bonding. They also have the most energy of all the electrons.

Transition Metals

Transition Elements include those elements in the B families or in the middle of the periodic table. These are the metals you are probably most familiar: copper, tin, zinc, iron, nickel, gold, and silver.