Lesson

Background

Understanding the elements of the Periodic Table can seem like an impossible task. Some of the elements have crazy names (einsteinium or americium), while others have names you’ve heard before (oxygen or carbon). But why do you need to learn about the elements? Obviously you need oxygen to breathe, but do some of the other elements really serve any purpose? For this project, you will be researching a specific element to present to the class. You will discover how your element is used and how it affects your daily life.

Prelab Questions

Define the following words:

1. Atom
2. Nucleus
3. Proton
4. Neutron
5. Electron
6. Energy Level (Electron Shell)
7. Valence Electron
8. Period
9. Group
10. Atomic Number
11. Mass Number
12. Metal
13. Nonmetal
14. Metalloid

Objective

After completing this project you will understand how the elements of the Periodic Table are organized and recognize the uses of different elements.

Procedure

1. Review the research questions below.
2. Fill out the document as you complete your research and make sure you provide links to the website where you found the answer to each question.
3. When your research is finished, submit it to your teacher for review.
4. Begin brainstorming how to visually represent your element on a poster.
5. When you are ready to begin constructing your poster, make sure you have a plan! You have a limited amount of time and supplies, so create a rough sketch of your layout and pictures before gluing or writing/drawing anything with markers.
6. Make your work neat! Type your information and print it out if needed! Remember: these posters will be displayed in the hallway, so make sure your final product is something you’re proud of.
7. You will complete the analysis section after everyone has completed their element poster.

Research Questions

Answer the following questions regarding your assigned element:

1. What is the atomic number? (1 point)
2. How many protons, electrons, and neutrons does an average atom have? (3 points)
3. How many shells and valence electrons does an atom have? (2 points)
4. What was it named after? (2 points)
5. Where was it discovered? (2 points)
6. Who discovered it? (2 points)
7. When was it discovered? (1 point)
8. Where can it be found? (3 points)
9. Does the human body use it? Explain. (3 points)
10. What are some of its main uses? Do we experience this element in everyday life? How? (7 points)
11. Is it poisonous / hazardous? (3 points)
12. In what compounds or forms is it commonly found? (5 points)
13. How abundant is it? (4 points)
14. In which group (column/family) can it be found on the periodic table? (1 point)
15. What are some of its properties? (physical and chemical) (5 points)
16. What state of matter is it commonly found? (1 point)
17. What are at least 2 interesting facts about this element? (6 points)
18. Include a drawing of its atomic structure/Bohr model (4 points)

Analysis

Look at the collection of posters presented on the wall and use the information to answer the following questions:

1. Explain any patterns or trends you notice in how the elements are arranged in terms of their atomic number and atomic mass.
2. What do the atomic mass and atomic number of an element tell you?
3. Color-code the provided Periodic Table by element category. Use blue for metals, red for non-metals, and yellow for metalloids. Do you notice any patterns? What are they?
4. You discover a new element. You notice that the element is always bonded with chlorine and explodes when in contact with water. What group does this element most likely belong to?