The Periodic Table:

The periodic table is a table with all of the chemical elements organized in order of atomic number. The element with the lowest atomic number, Hydrogen, is first, and the element with the highest atomic number, Oganesson, is last. The periodic table is used to quickly find information about each element like the atomic number, the number of protons, electrons, and neutrons, the atomic mass, and the chemical symbol.

Protons, Neutrons, and Electrons:

The protons, neutrons, and electrons are the subatomic particles of an atom. The protons and neutrons make up the nucleus and the electrons are on the energy shells which surround the nucleus. The number of protons, neutrons, and electrons in an element relies on the atomic number and the atomic mass. The atomic number of the element is the number of protons which is also the number of electrons (the number of protons and electrons are the same). The number of neutrons can be found by using APE MAN.

Role of the Protons:

The number of protons in an element determines what the element is, the protons also keep the electrons in orbit around the nucleus. The number of protons in the element dictates where the element is placed on the periodic table because the number of protons determines the atomic number and the periodic table is organized based on the atomic number. An element with a higher amount of protons would be placed further down in the periodic table whereas an element with a lower amount of protons would be placed closer to the top.

Valence Electrons:

A valence electron is an electron that is located on the outermost shell of the atom. The valence electrons have a connection with the placement of the elements on the periodic table because each of the families contains the same amount of valence electrons which means that the elements are also organized based on their number of valence electrons. The valence elections also affect the reactivity of the element because atoms are the least reactive when the outermost electron shell is full. the number of valence electrons also determines whether the atom will give up or gain electrons.

Locations of Metals, Non-Metals, and Metalloids:

Metals, Non-Metals, and Metalloids are 3 categories/sections in the periodic table. The elements on the periodic table are all sorted into these 3 groups. The metals are located between families 1-16 however it doesn't include all of the elements in those families, it is also shaped somewhat like the bottom of a staircase. The non-metals are located between families 14 - 18 and they are shaped like the top of a staircase. The metalloids are located between families 13 - 17, it is shaped like a staircase.

Properties of Metals, Non=Metals, and Metalloids:

Some common properties of metals are that they are good conductors of electricity and heat, they generally have a high density and a high melting point. Some common properties of non-metals are that they are poor conductors of heat and electricity, they are brittle and nonmalleable, they also have low melting and boiling points. Some common properties of metalloids are that they have an appearance that is similar to metals but they are less conductive, more brittle, and are good semiconductors. Metalloids generally tend to look like metals but act more like non-metals. However, not all metals, non-metals, and metalloids have the same properties as their category.

Families/Period:

In a periodic table, there are families and periods. A family/group is a column on the periodic table. The elements in each group all share the same amount of valence electrons. There are 9 families on the periodic table, the Alkali Metals, Alkaline Earth Metals, Transition Metals, Boron Family, Carbon Family, Nitrogen Family, Oxygen Family, Halogens, and Noble Gases. A period is a row on the periodic table. The elements in a period share the same number of energy shells they orbit the nucleus. There are 7 periods on the periodic table ranging from 1 - 7.

Families in the Periodic Table

Alkali Metals Physical and Chemical Properties:

Alkali metals are one of the 9 families on the periodic table. All alkali metals have 1 valence electron and have similar chemical properties such as having high reactivity. When they are exposed, alkali metals can react with the oxygen and water vapor in the air. Some physical properties of the alkali metals are that they are grey solids which shiny surfaces that turn dull when they it is exposed to air. Alkali Metals are soft solids and they can be cut easily, they are also good conductors of heat and electricity and they have low melting and boiling points.

Alkali Metals Examples and Models:

Some examples of Alkali Metals are Lithium (Li), Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), Rubidium (Rb), and more. Some everyday uses of these elements are when you use rechargeable batteries for electronics, electric vehicles, and cameras which is an example of Lithium as everyday use. Another example of an everyday use of an alkali metal are the common uses of Sodium which can be found in salt, fertilizer, paper, and more. An example of Potassium in our everyday use is in fertilizers, bananas, and fireworks.

Alkaline Earth Metals:

Alkaline Earth Metals are one of the 9 families on the periodic table. All alkaline earth metals have 2 valence electrons and are located in group 2. Alkaline Earth Metals are malleable and ductile and are relatively soft and strong. These elements are shiny and silver-white as they are pure metals, however, they mostly appear dull because of their reactivity which causes them to react with air to form surface oxide layers. Alkaline earth metals are highly reactive but not as reactive as alkali metals. All of the alkaline earth metals react with halogens to form halides which are ionic crystals. Most of them also form corrosive alkaline hydroxides. The alkaline earth metals are not found free in nature because of their high reactivity.

Alkaline Earth Metals Examples and Models:

Some examples of Alkaline Earth Metals are 

Beryllium (Be), Magnesium (Mg), Calcium (Ca), Barium (Ba), and more. An example of Calcium being used daily is cement, your bones, and teeth, in shells, and more. Another example of an alkaline earth metal being used is Berrylium which can be found in spacecrafts, emeralds, machine parts, and more. An example of Magnesium in our lives is in our medicine and camera flash bulbs.

Transition Metals:

Transitions Metals are one of the 9 families on the periodic table. They are located between groups 3 - 12 and generally have about 1 or 2 valence electrons. There are 38 elements and they are all metals. They are ductile and malleable and are good conductors of electricity and heat. They are also tough and hard and have high melting points. They are less reactive than alkali metals and some are very unreactive. They also form coloured ions of different charges.

Transition Metals Examples and Models:

Some examples of Transition Metals are Scandium (Sc), Iron (Fe), Cobalt (Co), Nickel (Ni), and more. An example of Iron used in our lives is in steel, magnets, compasses, and more. Some examples of Nickel used in our lives is in coins, nails, some pipes, and in meteors. An example of Cobalt used in our lives is in paint, medicines, meteors, and alloys (a metallic substance composed of two or more elements). 

Boron Family:

The Boron family is one of the 9 families on the periodic table. It is located in group 13 and has 3 valence electrons. Boron is the only metalloid in the family and the rest are all metals. The boron family are good conductors of heat and electricity, they are silver and have a low density and a light weight. Boron is a metalloid however, all of the other element are metals. The reactivity of the boron families varies between the different elements. They are found in ores and all the elements except for thallium have a table oxidation state of +3.

Boron Family Examples and Models:

Some examples of elements in the Boron Family are Boron (B), Aluminum (Al), Gallium (Ga), Indium (In), and more. Everyday use of Boron is in soaps, ceramics, fiberglass, flare guns, and more. Aluminum is used in our everyday lives in utensils, rubies, aluminum foil, and more.  You can find Gallium in our daily lives in mirrors, thermometers, solar devices, and more.