Elements and the Periodic Table
Periodic Table: A structured arrangement of elements that helps us to explain and predict physical and chemical properties.
Chemical Families and Compounds
Covalent (molecular) compounds: form when two nonmetals combine.
Carbon dioxide CO2
Ionic compounds: form when a metal and a non-metal combine
Sodium chloride NaCl
Groups and Families
The vertical columns in the periodic table are called groups or families.
Group 1 – Alkali Metals
Ø Shiny
Ø Tend to combine with group 17 elements to form white solids that are very soluble.
Group 2 – Alkaline Earth Metals
Ø Shiny
Ø Often combine with group 16 elements to form white solids that are very insoluble.
Group 17 – Halogens
Ø Nonmetallic
Ø Usually gases
Ø Very reactive
Group 18 – Noble Gases
Ø Nonmetallic
Ø Gases
Ø Very unreactive and do not form compounds (they do not combine with other elements)
Atomic Structure
Atoms consist of:
1. A nucleus made of positively charged protons and non-charged neutrons. The number of protons is always equal to the atomic number. The number of neutrons plus protons is equal to the mass number.
2. A group of organized negatively charged electrons. In a neutral atom the number of electrons is the same as the atomic number.
Electrons are organized into compartments or orbitals called “shells”.
Bohr-Rutherford Diagrams
Electrons are arranged around the nucleus in groups or orbitals containing 2 and then 8 electrons.
Neon has 10 electrons.
Chemical Bonding
Ionic (metal and nonmetal)
Ø How can a sodium atom get rid of its extra electron to become chemically stable?
Ø Where can a fluorine atom get the extra electron it needs to make a stable octet?
à Stable Octet is the very stable (unreactive)
NOBLE GAS Group.
Metal Non-metal
Na +1 F-1
- Need to loose an electron - Need to gain an electron
to become stable, and at to become stable in its
the same time loose an 2nd energy level.
energy level (outer shell).
- It looses a valence electron
Ø Groups 1, 2, and 3 will loose electrons
To become
Ø Groups 6 and 7 will gain electrons “Stable Octet”
Ionic charge: numerical value of the electric charge with a plus or minus sign (the +1 for Na after it combines with F)
Covalent (molecular bonds)
Non metals can also share electrons so that each atom has access to 8 electrons in their outermost orbital.
We can use the number of electrons needed to be lost or gained to predict the number of atoms involved in the formation of a molecule.