1. Each alien element symbol should be located in the same position that Earth’s corresponding element symbol would be located.
- The alien symbols are: Xo (Hydrogen), Qa (Helium), Rm (Lithium), Ts (Beryllium), Lp (Boron), Vh (Carbon), Gk (Nitrogen), Zt (Oxygen), Dn (Fluorine), Fj (Neon), Kc (Sodium), Ws (Magnesium), Bz (Aluminum), Nq (Silicon), Jv (Phosphorus), Hg (Sulfur), Yp (Chlorine), Mx (Argon), Pd (Potassium), Sb (Calcium), etc.
- Place Xo in Group 1, Period 1; Qa in Group 18, Period 1; Rm in Group 1, Period 2; Ts in Group 2, Period 2; and so on, matching the atomic number order and periodic trends of Earth’s elements.
2. Label the blank periodic table with each element’s name and symbol. List the evidence you used to justify placement of each element.
- Evidence:
- Atomic number sequence: Elements are placed in order of increasing atomic number (e.g., Xo=1, Qa=2, Rm=3...).
- Group trends: Elements in the same group have similar chemical properties (e.g., Xo, Rm, Kc, Pd are all alkali metals in Group 1).
- Period trends: Elements in the same period have the same number of electron shells (e.g., Period 2: Rm to Mx).
- Valence electrons: Group 1 has 1 valence electron, Group 2 has 2, ..., Group 18 has 8 (except He).
- Physical state and reactivity: Metals on left, nonmetals on right, noble gases at far right.
3. Label the names of groups 1, 17, & 18.
- Group 1: Alkali Metals
- Group 17: Halogens
- Group 18: Noble Gases
4. Color-code each of the family groups for the alien periodic table and include a key.
- Key:
- Alkali Metals (Group 1): Blue
- Alkaline Earth Metals (Group 2): Green
- Transition Metals (Groups 3–12): Gray
- Metalloids (B, Si, Ge, As, Sb, Te): Yellow
- Nonmetals (C, N, O, P, S, Se, Halogens): Red
- Noble Gases (Group 18): Purple
- Lanthanides/Actinides: Orange (if included)
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of alien periodic table worksheet.
