Atomic Structure
Pre-Lab Study Questions
1. Describe the set up and arrangement of the periodic table.
The 17 vertical columns of the periodic table are each a group/family of elements with
similar properties. The group numbers are 1A- 8A. The block in between the groups are the
transition metals. 1A is alkali metals, 2A is alkaline earth metals, 3A-6A have no common
names, 7A are halogens, and 8A are noble gases.
There are 7 horizontal rows that are called periods.
2. Where are the alkali metals and the halogens located on the periodic table?
Alkali metals are in the first column of the periodic table, 1A. Halogens are in the
seventeenth column, 7A.
3. On the following list of elements: Ca, Cu, Br, Ag, Ni, Cl, Fe, and F, list the transition metals
Cu (copper), Ni (nickel), Fe (iron)
_______________________ and list the halogens ____________________
Br (bromine), Cl (chlorine), F (fluorine)
4. Complete the table of names of elements and symbols:
Name of Element Symbol
Potassium K
Sodium Na
Sulfur S
Arsenic As
nitrogen N
Iron Fe
Magnesium Mg
Chlorine Cl
Copper Cu
Gold Au
A. Physical Properties of Elements
Atomic Physical properties (Hint: Look up the following elements online to find the color and
luster)
Element Symbol Atomic Color Luster Metal/
Number Nonmetal
Aluminum Al 13 Silver Dull metal
Carbon C 6 Black N/A nonmetal
Copper Cu 29 copper shiny metal
Iron Fe 26 gray shiny metal
Magnesium Mg 12 Silver shiny metal
Nickel Ni 28 Gray shiny metal
Nitrogen N 7 Colorless N/A nonmetal
Oxygen O 8 Colorless N/A nonmetal
Phosphorus P 15 Colorless N/A nonmetal
Silicon Si 14 Gray shiny Metalloid
(properties
of both
metal and
nonmetal)
Silver Ag 47 Silver shiny metal
Sulfur S 16 Yellow shiny nonmetal
Tin Sn 50 Silver shiny metal
Zinc Zn 30 Slate-gray shiny metal
Q.1. From their positions on the periodic table, categorize the following elements as metals (M)
or nonmetals (NM).
Na__M__ S__NM___ Cu__M___ F__NM___ Fe___M__ C___NM__ Mg__M___
Q. 2. Give the name of each of the following elements:
a. Noble gas in Period 2:__Ne (neon)____
b. Halogen in Period 3:___Cl (chlorine)______
c. Alkali metal in Period 3:__Na (sodium)_____
d. Halogen in Period 3:__Cl (chlorine)_____
e. Alkali Earth metal in Period 4:__Ca (calcium)______
B2.
Element Metal/Nonmetal Shiny or Dull
Chromium Metal shiny
Gold Metal Shiny
Lead Metal dull
Cadmium Metal shiny
Silicon Metalloid shiny
C. Subatomic Particles
Element Atomic Number Mass Number Proton Neutrons Electrons
s
Titanium 22 47 22 25 22
Aluminum 13 27 13 14 13
Potassium 19 39 19 20 19
Chlorine 17 37 17 20 17
Silver 47 108 47 61 47
Iodine 53 127 53 74 53
D. Isotopes
Nuclear Symbol Protons Neutrons Electrons
31 38 31
69
Ga
31
70 31 39 31
Ga
31
72
Ga 31 41 31
31
73 31 42 31
Ga
31
31 43 31
74
Ga
31
Q. 3. A neutral atom has a mass number of 35 and has 18 neutrons. Write its complete
isotopic symbol (Be sure to include symbol, mass number and atomic number written in the
correct spots).
35-18= 17
35
Cl
17
Q. 4. An atom has two more protons and two more electrons than the atom in question 3.
What is its complete symbol (Be sure to include symbol, mass number and atomic number
written in the correct spots)? (Mass number or number of neutrons not provided? Not
sure how to find the mass number.)
17+2= 19
19 + 18 = 37
If number of neutrons was the same as question 3: 37
K
19
If mass number was the same as question 3: 35
K
19
Potassium if not an isotope: 39
K
19