Particles and Periodic Table

Specification points
Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table

Describe the atomic structure:

• a proton has a positive charge, an electron has a negative charge and a neutron is
uncharged
• protons and neutrons have approximately the same mass of 1
• electrons have a mass about 1/2000 that of a proton
• define proton number and nucleon number
• elements are ordered in the Periodic Table in order of increasing proton/atomic number
• the number of electrons in the outer shell of an element is the same as the group number
• define isotopes in terms of them being the same element with different neutron numbers
• isotopes can be radioactive or non-radioactive
• know one medical and one industrial use of radioactive isotopes
• Understand that isotopes have the same properties because they have the same number
of outer shell electrons.
• describe how electrons are built up in shells
• understand that a ‘full’ outer shell of electrons makes a structure stable
• relate the electron structure of noble gases to their properties as unreactive elements
• understand the term valency electrons
• know the meaning of Ar – relative atomic mass as the average mass of naturally occurring
atoms of an element on a scale where the 12C atoms has a mass of exactly 12 units.
• know the meaning of Mr – relative molecular mass as the sum of the relative atomic
masses
• know the meaning of relative formula mass or Mr as used for ionic compounds
Understand the Periodic Table:
• as a method of classifying elements and its use in predicting the properties of elements
• that there is a change from metallic to non-metallic character across a period
• elements in groups I to III are metals
• elements on the right hand side of the Periodic Table tend to be non metals although for
groups IV to VI there is a change from metallic to non-metallic character down the group
• Describe the trends in any group of the Periodic Table when given information about the
elements in the group
• valency electrons are those in the outer shell
• the number of valency electrons is equal to the group number
Describe the group I elements:
• they include lithium, sodium and potassium
• they are fairly soft metals with low densities for metals
• their melting points decrease down the group
• they are more reactive down the group
• trends can be used to predict the properties of other elements in the group
Describe the group VII elements (halogens):
• they include chlorine, bromine and iodine which are diatomic molecules
• their colour gets darker down the group
• at room temperature, chlorine is a gas, bromine a liquid and iodine a solid
• their reaction with halide ions shows a trend, the halogens higher in the group being
more reactive
• trends can be used to predict the properties of other elements in the group
Describe the transition elements:
• they are metals with very high densities
• they have high melting points
• they form coloured compounds and are often catalysts
• they have variable oxidation states
Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table continued

Describe the noble gases:

• they are unreactive (inert) and monoatomic due to their complete outer shell of electrons
• they are used where an inert atmosphere is important
• argon is used in lamps and helium is used in balloons

Particles

Describe the states of matter and how they are changed into each other:
• the difference between solids liquids and gases and how the movement, arrangement
and closeness of the particles differs in the three states
• Describe the temperature and pressure of a gas in terms of the motion of its particles
• Explain changes of state in terms of kinetic theory
Describe and explain diffusion:
• as the spreading out and intermingling of liquids and gases
• as caused by the random movement of particles
Describe the evidence for the movement of particles in liquids and gases sometimes known
as Brownian motion and how this is evidence for the kinetic particle model of matter
• Explain Brownian Motion in terms of random molecular bombardment and state
evidence for it
Describe what affects the rate of diffusion :
• the smaller the molecular mass the greater the rate of diffusion so be able to calculate
the molecular masses of gases and relate this to their speed of diffusion

Independent Study suggestions

1. Look at the specification points above – use the textbook pages (6-14, 30-43, 166-179) or the revision
guide pages (1-4, 15-19, 106-109) to make a few notes/spider diagram/revision cards
2. Have a go at the questions in the revision guide on pages 5 and 6, pages 20-21 and pages 110-111 and
mark yourself – answers in the back

3. For any area where you feel you need a bit more help have a look at the Fuse School short 3-4 minute
explanation video in the Properties of solids, liquids and gases and the atomic structure sections :
https://www.fuseschool.org/topics/66
 States of Matter video https://www.fuseschool.org/topics/66/contents/362
 Brownian motion video https://www.fuseschool.org/topics/66/contents/364
 Changes of state video: https://www.fuseschool.org/topics/66/contents/851
 Diffision of gases https://www.fuseschool.org/topics/66/contents/363
 Solubility of water https://www.fuseschool.org/topics/66/contents/970
 Atomic Structure https://www.fuseschool.org/topics/66/contents/1031
 Isotopes https://www.fuseschool.org/topics/66/contents/1032
 Atomic Structure 3 https://www.fuseschool.org/topics/66/contents/340
 Atomic Mass https://www.fuseschool.org/topics/66/contents/341
 Atomic Mass and Atomic number: https://www.fuseschool.org/topics/66/contents/342
 Relative Atomic Mass: https://www.fuseschool.org/topics/66/contents/346
 Electron Configuration 1 https://www.fuseschool.org/topics/66/contents/344
 Electron Configuration 2 https://www.fuseschool.org/topics/66/contents/345
 Electron configuration 3 https://www.fuseschool.org/topics/66/contents/1377
 Shielding https://www.fuseschool.org/topics/66/contents/1377
 Mendeleev and the Periodic Table https://www.fuseschool.org/topics/66/contents/349
 The lay out of the Periodic Table https://www.fuseschool.org/topics/66/contents/350
 Groups and Periods in the Periodic Table https://www.fuseschool.org/topics/66/contents/847
 Group 1 https://www.fuseschool.org/topics/66/contents/352
 Group 1 https://www.fuseschool.org/topics/66/contents/357
 Noble Gases : https://www.fuseschool.org/topics/66/contents/356
 Group 2 : https://www.fuseschool.org/topics/66/contents/356
 The Halogens 1 https://www.fuseschool.org/topics/66/contents/356
 Reactions of the halogens https://www.fuseschool.org/topics/66/contents/396
 Uses of the halogens https://www.fuseschool.org/topics/66/contents/1023
 Trends in the Periodic Table https://www.fuseschool.org/topics/66/contents/397