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Understanding the Periodic Table
- May 7, 2009 at 8:38 AM
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- Comments (9) Total Views (6500) Everyone can see this journal post.
It's been years since I have taken chemistry. I think the best part of chemistry is the lab experiments because we had the chance to work through a long protocol, using various equipment, and would often end up with some new chemical at the end of the controlled reactions. The least interesting part of chemistry (for me) is the math. I still have to take a "time-out" and sit in silence when it's time to work through some chemistry math. All types of science deal with chemistry math some time, and in my profession it sneaks up on me when I least expect it.
Likewise, it has been years since I pondered the Periodic Table of the Elements (not to be confused with the Periodic Table of the Elephants). The Periodic table is used by scientists in a wide variety of fields, not just chemists. It's purpose if both the classify the elements by properties as well as to provide a tool to make predictions of chemical properties of an element based on its position in the table. This table is a nice chart for organizing the elements according to trends in their properties. The credit for its invention goes to Dmitri Mendeleev, who first organized the precursor to our current version in 1869. It has been updated since then, providing us with this current table of 117 elements):
Picture above from Wikimedia. For a clearer, printable, online version, check out WebElements Periodic Table. For an interactive table, check out the table by the ACS(American Chemical Society).
An element is a substance identified by its unique atomic number (the number of protons in the nucleus). Each box on the table represents one element, usually listing only its element symbol (2 letter designation) and its atomic number. More detailed Periodic Tables may list more information, but this is not required. Of the 117 known elements, 94 are naturally occurring and the rest are synthetic, such as those made in particle accelerators, or isotopes.
The table is set up to show trends in the nature of the elements. The elements are arranged by number, reading across like you would a book; this number is the atomic number. The columns (groups) are aligned to group elements with similar properties, such as the metals group and the gases group. The rows (periods) group the elements according to their extent of electron configuration.
The groups are considered the most valuable sorting method on the table. The metals appear on the left, with transition elements and metalloids in the middle, and non-metals appearing on the right. The most common metals groups are group 1 (alkali metals such as sodium and potassium) and group 2 (alkaline earth metals such as calcium and magnesium). The most common non-metals are group 17 (halogens such as chlorine and fluorine) and group 18 (nobel gases such as helium, neon and argon).
That sums up the basics of the Periodic Table. Of course, there is alot more detail to be studied if you choose to do so. Maybe it will start a long love of chemistry, or at least give you the basis for understanding the elements and how we sort them according to their properties.
Tonya
AKA sunmoonstars
Comments:
mothermayiam - it's never to late! There are so many nice chemistry kits to work with at home. OR if you feel like a challenge, you can take a college chemistry course and lab without enrolling in a complete degree program :)
When I was in college we had to memorize alot of it - the common parts, and be able to fill in a half-empty table ono the exam. yikes!
I always liked this periodic table more. #7 is chocolate ;-)
MythicMMM - haha that one's good too!
I love the periodic table! In my high school chemistry class I remember thinking how neat it was that all the elements fit together so perfectly. It also amazed me how spots were left open for elements that would be discovered in the future. Interesting stuff!!
Why did I go to college for Finance?
There's a whole subculture out there of people making joke periodic tables, I've just discovered! Check these out:
evwsquared - that's incredible! I had no idea, LOL! Thanks for sharing :)
Oooh, wait a minute, I just flashed back to my sophomore and junior years in college when my roommate was a chem major! Unfortunately, none of her knowledge rubbed off on me because chem is my weakest subject. :( But great post, though!
We did not have enough experiments in my HS chemistry class, it was very limited. I had more fun and gained more knowledge from my 6th grade science class, Mr. Czop, my science teacher, will never be forgotten. He was definitely AWESOME!!
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Meet jessicasmom1
This Pennsylvania mom of a 12-year-old girl wishes her daughter's father was still alive to see his little girl all grown up now.
I love this! You can't even imagine how happy I was to see you post this. I this this table is so neat and chemistry itself. It was my favorite subject in school. Once I treid to memorize the entire thing. I wonder why i never went on with Chemistry.
- mothermayiam
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