The Modern Periodic Table Flashcards

All 7 cards in this deck

What is the atomic number of an element?

The number of protons in the nucleus of one of its atoms; it gives the element its position in the periodic table.

In what order are the elements arranged in the modern periodic table?

In order of increasing atomic number (proton number).

What are the rows and the vertical columns of the periodic table called?

Rows are periods; vertical columns are groups.

Why does potassium appear after argon in the periodic table, even though argon has the greater relative atomic mass?

The periodic table is in atomic number order: argon has 18 protons and potassium has 19.

Where are the metals and the non-metals found in the periodic table?

Metals on the left and in the centre; non-metals at the top right (plus hydrogen).

How does atomic structure explain the division between metals and non-metals?

Metal atoms have few electrons in their outer shell and lose them to form positive ions; non-metal atoms have nearly full outer shells and gain or share electrons.

True or false? Elements in the same group of the periodic table have similar chemical properties.

True. They have the same number of electrons in their outer shell.