The Modern Periodic Table Flashcards

All 3 cards in this deck

What is the atomic number of an element?

The number of protons in the nucleus of its atoms; elements are placed in the periodic table in order of increasing atomic number.

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

False. Elements with similar properties are in the same group (vertical column); a period is a horizontal row.

How can you tell from its position in the periodic table that an element is a metal?

It is on the left-hand side or in the middle of the table; its atoms lose outer electrons to form positive ions.

e.g. calcium is in group 2, so it is a metal.