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Periodic Organization of Elements
| Standard | Students will investigate the nature of atoms | Topic Structure Course # 3620-01 |
| Objective | Correlate the position of elements on the periodic table with their atomic structure (periodic tendencies) |
|
| ILOs | Analyze data and draw warranted inferences. Understand that the goal of science is to produce a systemized body of knowledge. Prepare written and oral reports describing the findings of investigations and the reasoning which led to the conclusions. |
Description of Activity
Title: Periodic Organization of Elements
Overview: Students will organize a set a element cards in
any way they deem logical.
Duration: This activity should take approximately 45-50
minutes.
Materials: Set of element cards and Tape.
Background
Scientists always search for patterns or regularities in nature.
During the 1800's several scientists attempted to devise a
classification system that placed elements with similar
properties near each other on a chart. Such an arrangement, a
periodic table, can be developed by students.
Teaching and Learning Strategies
This activity should be used before students have much exposure
to the periodic table. Students will organize 20 elements into a
periodic table much like the ones developed during the early
1800's. There is not a correct answer. Student creativity should
be encouraged. This is a thinking-organizing activity. Students
do not have to recreate the periodic table as we now use it.
Prerequisite Instruction
Little or no prerequisite instruction is necessary. This activity
works well as an introduction to organizing data, developing
ideas, or periodic nature of matter.
Invitation to Learn
What relationships exist between the elements?
You will be given a set of element data cards. Each card lists
some properties of one of the first 20 elements. Arrange the
cards in any order that you choose that seems logical. Place
cards with similarities into groups. Examine the cards within
each group for any pattern. Arrange the cards within each group
in some logical sequence. Each card should belong to a group and
each member of a group should be arranged in some logical order.
Then arrange the groups in a logical order. When you have found
patterns within and among groups that appear to be reasonable and
useful, tape the cards onto a sheet of paper to preserve your
pattern. Attach a description of the criteria you used in
sorting. Your description should include the following:
1. What criteria did you use to put elements in groups.
2. What criteria did you use to arrange the elements within each group.
3. What criteria did you use to arrange the groups.
Be creative. There is not a correct or incorrect answer if you
can describe your process.
Safe Operating Procedures
No unusual or chemical safety considerations are necessary.
Summary of Learning
Student assessment should be made by their logical arrangement of
the element cards given. Students should describe the criteria
and should be evaluated on these standards:
1. Does the student give criteria used to put elements into groups? Does the criteria come from the information given on the cards? Is the criteria valid?
2. Does the student give criteria used to arrange elements within each group? Does the criteria come from the information given on the cards? Is the criteria valid?
3. Does the student give criteria used to arrange the groups. Is that criteria valid?
2 multiple choice questions
Your organization of the element cards is a periodic table. What
would this arrangement allow you to predict?
a. The existence of unknown elements could be predicted.
b. The properties of little known elements could be predicted.
c. Trends in reactivity could be predicted.
d. All of the above.
The first developers of the periodic table sorted initially by
atomic mass. What advantage did this initial sort provide?
a. Atomic mass in an obvious periodic property which was easy to describe.
b. Atomic mass appeared to increase with a minimum of duplication.
c. Such a sort was just a lucky guess.
d. Atomic mass and atomic number are directly proportional to each other.
| Properties of Elements Cards | Atomic Mass 9 Melting Point (oC) 1278 Boiling Point (0C) 2970 O in oxide 1 Cl in Chloride 2 Atomic Radius (nm) .111 |
Atomic Mass 19 Melting Point (oC) -220 Boiling Point (0C) -188 O in oxide 0.5 Cl in Chloride 1 Atomic Radius (nm) .072 |
| Atomic Mass 20 Melting Point (oC) -248 Boiling Point (0C) -246 O in oxide -- Cl in Chloride -- Atomic Radius (nm) .160 |
Atomic Mass 16 Melting Point (oC) -218 Boiling Point (0C) -183 O in oxide -- Cl in Chloride 2 Atomic Radius (nm) .066 |
Atomic Mass 36 Melting Point (oC) -101 Boiling Point (0C) -35 O in oxide 0.5 Cl in Chloride 1 Atomic Radius (nm) .099 |
| Atomic Mass 7 Melting Point (oC) 181 Boiling Point (0C) 1327 O in oxide 0.5 Cl in Chloride 1 Atomic Radius (nm) .152 |
Atomic Mass 27 Melting Point (oC) 660 Boiling Point (0C) 2467 O in oxide 1.5 Cl in Chloride 3 Atomic Radius (nm) .143 |
Atomic Mass 40 Melting Point (oC) -189 Boiling Point (0C) -186 O in oxide -- Cl in Chloride -- Atomic Radius (nm) .191 |
| Atomic Mass 39 Melting Point (oC) 64 Boiling Point (0C) 774 O in oxide 0.5 Cl in Chloride 1 Atomic Radius (nm) .227 |
Atomic Mass 4 Melting Point (oC) -272 Boiling Point (0C) -269 O in oxide -- Cl in Chloride -- Atomic Radius (nm) .122 |
Atomic Mass 23 Melting Point (oC) 98 Boiling Point (0C) 883 O in oxide 0.5 Cl in Chloride 1 Atomic Radius (nm) .192 |
| Atomic Mass 32 Melting Point (oC) 113 Boiling Point (0C) 445 O in oxide 3 Cl in Chloride 2 Atomic Radius (nm) .104 |
Atomic Mass 12 Melting Point (oC) 3550 Boiling Point (0C) 4827 O in oxide 2 Cl in Chloride 4 Atomic Radius (nm) .077 |
Atomic Mass 11 Melting Point (oC) 2079 Boiling Point (0C) 3675 O in oxide 1.5 Cl in Chloride 3 Atomic Radius (nm) .083 |
| Atomic Mass 40 Melting Point (oC) 839 Boiling Point (0C) 1484 O in oxide 1 Cl in Chloride 2 Atomic Radius (nm) .197 |
Atomic Mass 14 Melting Point (oC) 210 Boiling Point (0C) -196 O in oxide 2.5 Cl in Chloride 3 Atomic Radius (nm) .070 |
Atomic Mass 28 Melting Point (oC) 1410 Boiling Point (0C) 2355 O in oxide 2 Cl in Chloride 4 Atomic Radius (nm) .117 |
| Atomic Mass 31 Melting Point (oC) 44 Boiling Point (0C) 280 O in oxide 2.5 Cl in Chloride 3 Atomic Radius (nm) .115 |
Atomic Mass 24 Melting Point (oC) 649 Boiling Point (0C) 1090 O in oxide 1 Cl in Chloride 2 Atomic Radius (nm) .160 |
Atomic Mass 1 Melting Point (oC) -259 Boiling Point (0C) -253 O in oxide 0.5 Cl in Chloride 1 Atomic Radius (nm) .053 |
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Updated September 26 1997 by Michelle Dumas