20 Questions
What determines the reactivity of an element and many of its properties?
The number and location of electrons in the electron cloud.
What is the charge carried by electrons?
Negative charge.
Where are protons and neutrons located in an atom?
In the nucleus.
What elements can exist in their pure element form?
Gold and helium.
What are some examples of substances made of combinations of different elements?
Sugar, table salt, and the air we breathe.
How many natural elements are known to scientists?
What does the Periodic Table organize the elements based on?
Similar properties.
What determines the atomic number of an element?
The number of protons it has.
What are the two main categories of elements on the Periodic Table?
Metals and non-metals.
What are the characteristics of non-metal elements?
They can be solid or gas, are poor conductors of heat and electricity, and are dull and brittle.
What is an element?
An element is a pure substance made of only one type of atom that cannot be broken down further into other substances.
Give an example of an element.
Hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O) are examples of elements.
Is water an element? Why or why not?
No, water is not an element because it can be broken down into other substances (hydrogen and oxygen).
What are elements made of?
Elements are made of tiny units called atoms.
What are the three subatomic particles found within an atom?
The three subatomic particles found within an atom are protons, neutrons, and electrons.
What is the dense center of an atom called?
The dense center of an atom is called the nucleus.
What is the function of protons in an atom?
Protons carry a positive charge.
Where are most of the mass of an element found?
Most of the mass of an element is found in the nucleus.
Are elements and chemicals the same thing?
Sort of. Elements are chemicals that are made of just one kind of atom.
What is the difference between elements and compounds?
Elements are made of only one kind of atom, while compounds are made of two or more different kinds of atoms.
Study Notes
Atomic Structure and Elements
- The reactivity of an element and many of its properties are determined by the number of electrons in its outermost energy level.
- Electrons carry a negative charge.
Atomic Composition
- Protons and neutrons are located in the nucleus of an atom.
- The dense center of an atom is called the nucleus.
Element Characteristics
- Some elements can exist in their pure element form, such as gold, silver, and copper.
- Elements are made up of three subatomic particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons.
Periodic Table Organization
- There are approximately 118 known natural elements to scientists.
- The Periodic Table organizes elements based on their atomic number and properties.
- The atomic number of an element is determined by the number of protons in its atomic nucleus.
Element Classification
- The two main categories of elements on the Periodic Table are metals and non-metals.
- Non-metal elements are poor conductors of electricity and heat, and tend to gain electrons to form ions.
Elements vs. Compounds vs. Chemicals
- An element is a substance that consists of only one type of atom, such as hydrogen or oxygen.
- Water (H2O) is not an element, but a compound made up of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.
- Elements and chemicals are not the same thing; elements are the building blocks of matter, while chemicals are substances made up of one or more elements.
- Compounds are substances made up of two or more different elements, such as salt (sodium chloride) and sugar (sucrose).
Test your knowledge on elements and their properties with this quiz! Learn why certain substances, like water, are not considered elements and discover the defining characteristics of these fundamental building blocks of matter. Challenge yourself and expand your understanding of chemistry!
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