The Periodic Table as a Map of the Elements

In your own words, why do we call the periodic table a map of the chemical world?

What "regions" (families) and "coordinates" (groups and periods) would you find on that map?

What does the position of an element in the same group tell you?

What does its position in the same period tell you?

Find P (phosphorus). Write its group number, period number, and number of valence electrons.

For each element, indicate whether it is a metal, non-metal, or metalloid, and briefly justify: a) Fe (iron) b) O (oxygen) c) Si (silicon)

Using an online periodic table: Circle three metals. Draw a triangle around two nonmetals. Put a square around one metalloid. Then answer: What criteria did you use to distinguish each category?

Read these clues and name the family of elements: a) "I form salts and have 7 electrons in my outer shell." b) "I am a stable gas and do not react easily." c) "I am soft, shiny, and explode in water."

Choose one element from each of these families and write its symbol along with a common use: alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, transition metal.

In a single period, how does reactivity change from left to right? Give two examples of elements that illustrate this trend.