Modern periodic table and electron configuration | Chemistry

Starter quiz

Which of these subatomic particles are located in shells around the nucleus of an atom?

neutrons

electrons ✓

protons
How many protons does an atom of carbon have?

'6' ✓
An atom has 12 protons and 12 neutrons. What is its mass number?

'24' ✓
True or false? You can find out how many electrons are in a neutral atom of each element by looking at the periodic table.

True ✓

False
An element has 16 electrons. Based on its electronic arrangement, determine whether it is more likely to be a metal or a non-metal.

non-metal ✓

metal
Place the following models of the atom in chronological order based on their development, starting from the earliest to the latest:

1

⇔

Dalton's solid sphere model where atoms were indivisible particles.

2

⇔

Thomson's plum pudding model where electrons were embedded in a positive sphere.

3

⇔

Rutherford's model with a nucleus and electrons orbiting like planets.

4

⇔

Bohr's model with electrons in fixed orbits or energy levels.

Exit quiz

Which group in the periodic table contains elements with a full outer electron shell?

Group 1

Group 2

Group 7

Group 0 ✓
How many electrons can the first shell of an atom hold (maximum)?

'2' ✓
Which of the following statements about the periodic table is FALSE?

The elements are ordered by increasing atomic mass. ✓

Groups are vertical columns.

Periods are horizontal rows.

Position of an element provides information about its electron configuration.
Identify the group number for elements with electronic configuration ending in 2,7.

Group 1

Group 2

Group 7 ✓

Group 0
Write the electron configuration of calcium (separate each number by a comma ",")

'2,8,8,2' ✓
Write the element's symbol below for the element represented in this electron configuration diagram.

'Si' ✓

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Lesson Details

Key learning points

The periodic table is ordered by increasing atomic number (proton number).
The periodic table is split into periods and groups.
The position of an element in the periodic table is linked to its atomic number and the arrangement of its electrons.
Elements can be classed as metals or non-metals according to their position on the periodic table.
A useful model for atoms arranges electrons in shells around the nucleus.

Common misconception

Pupils often confuse the atomic number and mass number with regard to the number of electrons in an atom. They also can confuse the number of electrons which can be held by each shell.

Emphasise that the lower number (atomic number/proton number) represents the number of electrons (reference to the mass being larger can help). Practise as many electron arrangements as possible.

Keywords

Electron shell - is an energy level outside the nucleus which contains electrons.
Electronic configuration - of an atom of an element describes how the electrons are arranged in shells.
Period - is a horizontal row on the periodic table, it corresponds to the number of shells of an atom in an element that have electrons in them.
Group - is a column on the periodic table that corresponds to the number of electrons in the outer shell of an atom.