Learn: The Periodic Table

Welcome!Welcome! Building on your understanding of atomic structure, we're now exploring the Periodic Table. This will help you understand how elements are organised and why their properties differ.

What is the Periodic Table?The Periodic Table is a way to organise all known elements based on their atomic structure. It arranges them into rows and columns called periods and groups, respectively. This organisation helps scientists predict how elements will behave and interact.

Periods and GroupsPeriods are the horizontal rows in the table. They show elements in order of increasing atomic number. Groups are the vertical columns, and elements in the same group share similar chemical properties because they have the same number of electrons in their outer shell.

Metals, Non-metals, and Transition ElementsThe table is divided into metals (on the left and centre) and non-metals (on the right). Metals are good conductors of electricity and heat, while non-metals are poor conductors. Transition metals, found in the centre of the table, have unique properties such as forming colourful compounds.

How is the Periodic Table Organised?Elements are organised by their atomic number (number of protons). As you move across a period, elements gain more protons and electrons. Down a group, elements have more electron shells, making their atoms larger.

Group TrendsElements in the same group show trends. For example, in Group 1 (alkali metals), reactivity increases as you move down the group because outer electrons are further from the nucleus. In Group 7 (halogens), reactivity decreases as you go down the group.

Group 0: Noble GasesNoble gases in Group 0 are unreactive because their outer shells are full. This makes them stable. They're used in applications like neon lights and helium balloons.

Review Time!Great work! You've learned about the organisation of the Periodic Table, including periods, groups, and trends. Let's test your understanding with a few questions.