Unlocking the Periodic Table: A Journey Through Elements

Earth & Space Science Grades High School 8:56 Video
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Lesson Description

Explore the organization of the periodic table, including groups, periods, metals, nonmetals, and metalloids. Understand the properties and reactivity of different element groups.

Video Resource

The periodic table | Atoms, elements, and the periodic table | High school chemistry | Khan Academy

Khan Academy Organic Chemistry

Duration: 8:56
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Periodic Table Organization (groups, periods)
  • Metals, Nonmetals, and Metalloids
  • Chemical Properties and Reactivity of Element Groups

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to identify groups and periods on the periodic table.
  • Students will be able to differentiate between metals, nonmetals, and metalloids based on their properties.
  • Students will be able to describe the characteristics and reactivity of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, halogens, and noble gases.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Briefly introduce the periodic table as a fundamental tool in science for organizing elements. Explain its importance in understanding the properties and behavior of matter. Show the Khan Academy video.
  • Video Viewing and Note-Taking (15 mins)
    Students watch the Khan Academy video 'The periodic table | Atoms, elements, and the periodic table | High school chemistry | Khan Academy'. Students should take notes on key concepts, including groups, periods, metals, nonmetals, metalloids, and specific groups like alkali metals, halogens and noble gasses.
  • Group Discussion (15 mins)
    Divide students into small groups to discuss their notes and clarify any confusing points. Each group prepares a short summary of the main concepts learned from the video.
  • Interactive Activity: Element Sorting (15 mins)
    Students participate in an element sorting activity, categorizing elements based on their properties as metals, nonmetals, or metalloids, and placing them within the correct groups or periods.
  • Wrap-up and Quiz Preview (5 mins)
    Review the key takeaways from the lesson. Prepare students for the quizzes.

Interactive Exercises

  • Element Sorting Activity
    Provide students with a list of elements (e.g., sodium, chlorine, silicon, helium) and ask them to classify each element as a metal, nonmetal, or metalloid and identify its group and period. Students can use a physical periodic table or an online resource.

Discussion Questions

  • How does the organization of the periodic table help us predict the properties of elements?
  • Why are certain groups of elements, like alkali metals, highly reactive?
  • What are some real-world applications of metalloids, such as silicon?

Skills Developed

  • Observation
  • Classification
  • Critical Thinking
  • Data Interpretation

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

Which of the following is a horizontal row on the periodic table?

Correct Answer: Period

Question 2:

Elements in the same vertical column on the periodic table are in the same:

Correct Answer: Family

Question 3:

Which group contains highly reactive nonmetals known as salt formers?

Correct Answer: Halogens

Question 4:

Which of the following elements is NOT a metal?

Correct Answer: Carbon

Question 5:

Which of the following is a property of metals?

Correct Answer: Malleable

Question 6:

Which of the following groups is generally unreactive?

Correct Answer: Noble Gases

Question 7:

Which element is a liquid at room temperature?

Correct Answer: Mercury

Question 8:

What is the term for elements with properties of both metals and nonmetals?

Correct Answer: Metalloids

Question 9:

Where are metals primarily located on the periodic table?

Correct Answer: Left

Question 10:

Which of these elements is an alkali metal?

Correct Answer: Sodium

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

The vertical columns on the periodic table are called ___________.

Correct Answer: groups

Question 2:

The horizontal rows on the periodic table are called __________.

Correct Answer: periods

Question 3:

Elements that are good conductors of heat and electricity are called __________.

Correct Answer: metals

Question 4:

Elements that are poor conductors of heat and electricity are called __________.

Correct Answer: nonmetals

Question 5:

The alkali metals are found in group __________.

Correct Answer: 1

Question 6:

The noble gases are found in group __________.

Correct Answer: 18

Question 7:

The halogens are found in group __________.

Correct Answer: 17

Question 8:

Elements with properties in between metals and nonmetals are called __________.

Correct Answer: metalloids

Question 9:

Alkali metals are so reactive that they are found in combination with other __________ in nature.

Correct Answer: elements

Question 10:

The property of a metal that allows it to be drawn into wires is called __________.

Correct Answer: ductile

Educational Standards

ES.ESS1.3:[Standard] Construct an explanation about the process that causes stars to produce elements throughout their life cycle. ES.ESS2.2:[Standard] Analyze geoscience data to make the claim that one change to Earth’s surface can create feedbacks and interactions that cause changes to other Earth’s systems. ES.ESS3.5:[Standard] Construct a scientific explanation from evidence for how geological processes cause uneven distribution of natural resources.

Teaching Materials

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