Chemistry workbook | Ivy Way Science - Free Printable

Let's solve this Periodic Table Puzzle step by step.

We are given a simplified periodic table with letters (A–J) placed in specific positions, and we must match each letter to its correct description based on the element’s position and properties.

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Step 1: Identify the positions of each labeled element

We’ll use the standard periodic table layout:

- Group numbers: 1 to 18 across the top
- Periods: Rows from top to bottom

Let’s determine where each letter is located:

#### Position Analysis:

| Letter | Group | Period | Element Type |
|--------|-------|--------|--------------|
| I | 1 | 1 | Hydrogen (H) – nonmetal, but often grouped with alkali metals |
| F | 2 | 2 | Beryllium (Be) – alkaline earth metal |
| C | 1 | 3 | Sodium (Na) – alkali metal |
| E | 9 | 4 | Cobalt (Co) – transition metal |
| J | 13 | 4 | Gallium (Ga) – metal (post-transition) |
| B | 14 | 3 | Silicon (Si) – semi-metal (metalloid) |
| G | 16 | 2 | Oxygen (O) – active nonmetal |
| H | 17 | 2 | Fluorine (F) – very active nonmetal |
| A | 18 | 2 | Neon (Ne) – noble gas (inactive) |
| D | 6 | 5 | Barium (Ba) – alkaline earth metal? Wait — let’s check D. |

Wait! D is not on the main table — it's in the f-block, which is below the main table.

So:
- D is in the f-block, group 6 (lanthanides/actinides), period 6 or 7 → likely Lanthanide or Actinide

But since it's shown as a single row under the main table, and only one box is marked with D, it's probably representing the inner transition elements (like lanthanides or actinides).

Now, let’s go through each clue and match it.

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Step 2: Match clues to letters

#### 1. An alkali metal
→ Alkali metals are in Group 1.
We have:
- I = Group 1, Period 1 → Hydrogen (but H is not a true alkali metal)
- C = Group 1, Period 3 → Sodium (Na) → Yes, alkali metal

✔ So, C is an alkali metal.

> ✔ Answer: C

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#### 2. An alkaline earth metal
→ Group 2
We have:
- F = Group 2, Period 2 → Beryllium (Be) → alkaline earth metal

✔ F fits.

> ✔ Answer: F

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#### 3. An inactive gas
→ Noble gas → Group 18
We have:
- A = Group 18, Period 2 → Neon (Ne) → inert/noble gas

✔ A is correct.

> ✔ Answer: A

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#### 4. An active nonmetal
→ Very reactive nonmetal → Halogens (Group 17) or oxygen (Group 16)

Look at:
- H = Group 17, Period 2 → Fluorine (F) → most reactive nonmetal
- G = Group 16, Period 2 → Oxygen (O) → also very active

But fluorine is more active than oxygen.

Also, H is fluorine — extremely active nonmetal.

✔ So H is best answer.

> ✔ Answer: H

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#### 5. A semi-metal
→ Metalloid → between metals and nonmetals → e.g., Si, Ge, As, etc.

We have:
- B = Group 14, Period 3 → Silicon (Si) → classic semi-metal (metalloid)

✔ B is silicon → semi-metal.

> ✔ Answer: B

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#### 6. An inner transition element
→ Lanthanides or actinides → f-block

The D block is placed below the main table, and it's in the f-block (Groups 3–12, but specifically f-orbitals). The D is located in the f-block, so it represents inner transition elements.

✔ So D is the inner transition element.

> ✔ Answer: D

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#### 7. Its most common oxidation state is -2
→ Elements that gain 2 electrons → Group 16 (chalcogens) → like O, S

Common oxidation state: -2 (e.g., O²⁻, S²⁻)

We have:
- G = Group 16, Period 2 → Oxygen (O) → oxidation state -2

✔ G fits.

> ✔ Answer: G

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#### 8. A metal with more than one oxidation state
→ Transition metals commonly have variable oxidation states.

We have:
- E = Group 9, Period 4 → Cobalt (Co) → can have +2, +3, etc.
- Also, J = Group 13 → Gallium → usually +3, sometimes +1 → but less common
- But E is a transition metal, so it has multiple oxidation states.

✔ E is cobalt → variable oxidation states.

> ✔ Answer: E

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#### 9. Metal with an oxidation number of +3
→ Many metals form +3 ions.

Examples: Aluminum (Al), Iron (Fe³⁺), etc.

Look at:
- J = Group 13, Period 4 → Gallium (Ga) → common oxidation state +3
- C = Na → +1
- F = Be → +2
- E = Co → +2, +3 → but not primarily +3
- J = Ga → typically +3

Also, B = Si → nonmetal → +4, but not a metal

So J is a metal (gallium) with +3 oxidation state.

Alternatively, could E be Fe? No — E is in Group 9 → Co, not Fe.

But wait — Group 13 metals (like Al, Ga) show +3.

✔ J is gallium → +3

> ✔ Answer: J

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#### 10. Has oxidation numbers of +1 and -1
→ This is unusual. Most elements don’t have both +1 and -1.

But hydrogen (H) has:
- +1 in compounds (e.g., H₂O)
- -1 in hydrides (e.g., NaH)

And I = Group 1, Period 1 → Hydrogen (H)

So hydrogen can have both +1 and -1 oxidation states.

✔ I fits.

> ✔ Answer: I

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Final Answers:

Let’s compile all:

1. An alkali metal → C
2. An alkaline earth metal → F
3. An inactive gas → A
4. An active nonmetal → H
5. A semi-metal → B
6. An inner transition element → D
7. Its most common oxidation state is -2 → G
8. A metal with more than one oxidation state → E
9. Metal with an oxidation number of +3 → J
10. Has oxidation numbers of +1 and -1 → I

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✔ Final Answer Key:

1. C
2. F
3. A
4. H
5. B
6. D
7. G
8. E
9. J
10. I

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Let me know if you'd like a visual explanation or how to fill in the periodic table!