Periodic Table Scavenger Hunt Worksheet - Free Printable

Let's solve the problems step by step using the periodic table. Here are the answers with explanations:

---

1. Which element is number 14 on the periodic table?

- Answer: Silicon
- Explanation: The atomic number of an element corresponds to the number of protons in its nucleus. Element 14 is Silicon (Si).

---

2. What is the element symbol for californium?

- Answer: Cf
- Explanation: Californium is a synthetic element with the symbol "Cf".

---

3. How many protons are in an atom of bismuth?

- Answer: 83
- Explanation: The atomic number of bismuth (Bi) is 83, which means it has 83 protons.

---

4. To which element group does argon belong?

- Answer: Noble Gas
- Explanation: Argon (Ar) is a noble gas, belonging to Group 18 (the rightmost column of the periodic table).

---

5. Which element would you expect to have a higher mass: cadmium or zinc?

- Answer: Cadmium
- Explanation: Cadmium (Cd) has an atomic mass of approximately 112.41, while zinc (Zn) has an atomic mass of approximately 65.38. Therefore, cadmium has a higher mass.

---

6. What is the atomic mass of carbon?

- Answer: 12.01
- Explanation: Carbon (C) has an atomic mass of approximately 12.01.

---

7. What do you call the element series from atomic number 57–71?

- Answer: Lanthanides
- Explanation: Elements with atomic numbers 57–71 are called the lanthanides. They are part of the f-block elements and are often referred to as rare earth elements.

---

8. Which element has a symbol that starts with a letter different from the first one in its name: aluminum, copper, gold, rhenium?

- Answer: Gold
- Explanation:
- Aluminum → Al (symbol starts with "A")
- Copper → Cu (symbol starts with "C")
- Gold → Au (symbol starts with "A", not "G")
- Rhenium → Re (symbol starts with "R")

Thus, Gold has a symbol ("Au") that starts with a letter different from the first letter of its name.

---

9. Which element has the lowest atomic mass?

- Answer: Hydrogen
- Explanation: Hydrogen (H) has the lowest atomic mass, approximately 1.008.

---

10. What is the first element with an atomic mass greater than 100?

- Answer: Ruthenium
- Explanation: Ruthenium (Ru) has an atomic mass of approximately 101.07, making it the first element with an atomic mass greater than 100.

---

11. What is the first basic metal on the periodic table?

- Answer: Aluminum
- Explanation: Aluminum (Al) is considered the first basic metal because it is the first metal in Group 13 (the boron group).

---

12. True or false: Tin and antimony are in the same element group.

- Answer: False
- Explanation: Tin (Sn) is in Group 14 (carbon group), while antimony (Sb) is in Group 15 (nitrogen group). They are not in the same group.

---

13. What is the heaviest alkali metal?

- Answer: Francium
- Explanation: Francium (Fr) is the heaviest alkali metal, with an atomic number of 87. It is radioactive and highly unstable.

---

14. How many protons are in an atom of magnesium?

- Answer: 12
- Explanation: Magnesium (Mg) has an atomic number of 12, meaning it has 12 protons.

---

15. Which of the following is not a nonmetal: sulfur, oxygen, silicon, nitrogen?

- Answer: Silicon
- Explanation:
- Sulfur (S), oxygen (O), and nitrogen (N) are all nonmetals.
- Silicon (Si) is a metalloid, not a nonmetal.

---

16. What is the name of the element with the symbol W?

- Answer: Tungsten
- Explanation: The element with the symbol "W" is tungsten.

---

17. Which element has an atomic mass of 106.42?

- Answer: Palladium
- Explanation: Palladium (Pd) has an atomic mass of approximately 106.42.

---

18. Astatine belongs to which element group: nonmetal, halogen, noble gas?

- Answer: Halogen
- Explanation: Astatine (At) is a halogen, belonging to Group 17.

---

19. What is the element with the symbol Ba?

- Answer: Barium
- Explanation: The element with the symbol "Ba" is barium.

---

20. Name a letter never used in any element symbol?

- Answer: J or Q
- Explanation: The letters "J" and "Q" are not used in any element symbols on the periodic table.

---

Final Answers:

1. Silicon
2. Cf
3. 83
4. Noble Gas
5. Cadmium
6. 12.01
7. Lanthanides
8. Gold
9. Hydrogen
10. Ruthenium
11. Aluminum
12. False
13. Francium
14. 12
15. Silicon
16. Tungsten
17. Palladium
18. Halogen
19. Barium
20. J or Q

Boxed Final Answer:
\[
\boxed{
\begin{array}{ll}
1. & \text{Silicon} \\
2. & \text{Cf} \\
3. & 83 \\
4. & \text{Noble Gas} \\
5. & \text{Cadmium} \\
6. & 12.01 \\
7. & \text{Lanthanides} \\
8. & \text{Gold} \\
9. & \text{Hydrogen} \\
10. & \text{Ruthenium} \\
11. & \text{Aluminum} \\
12. & \text{False} \\
13. & \text{Francium} \\
14. & 12 \\
15. & \text{Silicon} \\
16. & \text{Tungsten} \\
17. & \text{Palladium} \\
18. & \text{Halogen} \\
19. & \text{Barium} \\
20. & \text{J or Q} \\
\end{array}
}
\]