The Periodic Table

This complicated table has stumped millions across the globe...

THE PERIODIC TABLE

How do you read the table? Well, firstly, the horizontal numbers (the roman numerals), those represents the period the element is in. Whilst the vertical numbers represent the group it's in. The arrangement of the elements are in increasing atomic number.

Elements can be divided into the metals, non-metals, metalloids and the oh-so-mighty... Noble gas, depending on the elements' properties. An element is made up of ONE type of atom and each element has different atoms or molecules. Elements have a certain way of being labelled, their first letter must always be capital.

I really like the analogy given in class...

Elements is like a string of linked paper clips. When you separate the links, you get one paper clip, representing an atom. Sure, you can still break the paper clip up into smaller pieces, but it can no longer retain its function. Likewise, if you break up the protons, electrons and neutrons in an atom, the atom is no longer part of the element.

This is because the atom is the smallest particle of an element that retains the chemical properties of an element. Even the arrangement of the atoms can affect the state of the element. Which brings to the difference between atoms and molecules...

Atoms are the smallest particle of an element that retains the chemical properties of the element. Meanwhile, molecules are two or more atoms bonded together. Of course, the noble gas, being oh-so-noble, have very low chemical reactivity as they are very stable.

MORE...

How to define if something has a high/low boiling point and melting point?
If the melting point of an element is below 0 degrees celsius, it has a low melting point. And if elements have boiling points of more than a 100 degrees celsius, they are considered to have a high boiling point. In general, just compare everything to water!

What are metalloids?
Metalloids are elements which have properties of both metals and non-metals. For example, silicon has chemical properties similar to non-metals but exhibit properties such as electrical conductivity like metals.