Let's go through each question on the worksheet and solve it step by step with explanations.
---
1. Define a family.
✔ Answer: A *family* in the periodic table refers to a vertical column of elements that have similar chemical properties because they have the same number of valence electrons. These are also called
groups (e.g., Group 1: alkali metals, Group 17: halogens).
---
2. What is a period?
✔ Answer: A *period* is a horizontal row in the periodic table. Elements in the same period have the same number of electron shells (energy levels). There are 7 periods in the periodic table.
---
3. What are the symbols for the following elements?
a) Magnesium →
Mg
b) Potassium →
K
c) Iron →
Fe
d) Copper →
Cu
> 🔍 *Note:* Element symbols are derived from their English or Latin names. For example:
> - Iron = *Ferrum* → Fe
> - Copper = *Cuprum* → Cu
---
4. What are the names of the following elements?
a) C →
Carbon
b) Cl →
Chlorine
c) Au →
Gold *(from Latin "Aurum")*
d) Sr →
Strontium
---
5. The number of protons in an atom is that element’s _________.
✔ Answer: Atomic number
> 📌 Explanation: The atomic number defines the element and determines its position on the periodic table.
---
6. The number of protons and neutrons in an atom is that atom’s _________.
✔ Answer: Mass number
> 📌 Explanation: Mass number = protons + neutrons. It is not the same as atomic mass (which is weighted average of isotopes), but it's the total count of nucleons in a specific isotope.
---
7. The ability of a material to be drawn into a thin wire is called _________.
✔ Answer: Ductility
> 📌 Example: Copper and gold are ductile.
---
8. The ability of a material to be pounded into thin sheets is called _________.
✔ Answer: Malleability
> 📌 Example: Gold and aluminum are malleable.
---
9. For each of the following, label it as metal, nonmetal, and metalloid.
Let’s analyze each:
a)
Ductile →
Metal
> Metals are typically ductile.
b)
Chlorine →
Nonmetal
> Chlorine is a greenish-yellow gas, highly reactive, found in Group 17.
c)
Semiconductor →
Metalloid
> Metalloids like silicon and germanium are semiconductors.
d)
Malleable →
Metal
> Malleability is a property of metals.
e)
Cobalt →
Metal
> Cobalt is a transition metal, shiny, solid at room temperature.
f)
Brittle →
Nonmetal
> Nonmetals tend to be brittle when solid (e.g., sulfur, iodine).
g)
Oxygen →
Nonmetal
> Oxygen is a gas, diatomic molecule, essential for respiration.
h)
Good conductor of heat →
Metal
> Metals conduct heat well due to free-moving electrons.
---
✔ Final Answers Summary:
1.
Family: A vertical column of elements with similar properties (same valence electrons).
2.
Period: A horizontal row; elements share the same number of electron shells.
3. Symbols:
a) Mg b) K c) Fe d) Cu
4. Names:
a) Carbon b) Chlorine c) Gold d) Strontium
5.
Atomic number
6.
Mass number
7.
Ductility
8.
Malleability
9.
a) Metal
b) Nonmetal
c) Metalloid
d) Metal
e) Metal
f) Nonmetal
g) Nonmetal
h) Metal
---
Let me know if you'd like this formatted as a printable answer key!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of periodic table of elements worksheet.