THE PERIODIC TABLE (10 Pages of
Notes)
Page 1: Introduction to the Periodic
Table
What is the Periodic Table?
The Periodic Table is a chart that arranges all known elements according to their atomic
number.
What is an Element?
An element is a pure substance made up of only one type of atom.
Examples:
● Hydrogen (H)
● Oxygen (O)
● Carbon (C)
● Iron (Fe)
Why is the Periodic Table Important?
It helps scientists:
● Classify elements
● Predict properties
● Understand chemical reactions
Page 2: Structure of an Atom
Atoms
Everything is made up of atoms.
Atoms contain three subatomic particles:
Part Cha Relative
i r Mass
c g
l e
e
Prot +1 1
o
n
Neut 0 1
r
o
n
Elec -1 1/1840
t
r
o
n
Location
● Protons and neutrons are in the nucleus.
● Electrons move around the nucleus in shells.
Page 3: Atomic Number and Mass
Number
Atomic Number
The atomic number is the number of protons in an atom.
Example:
Carbon:
● 6 protons
● Atomic number = 6
Mass Number
Mass number = Protons + Neutrons
Example:
Carbon-12:
● Protons = 6
● Neutrons = 6
Mass number = 12
Key Fact
In a neutral atom:
Number of protons = Number of electrons
Page 4: Arrangement of the Periodic
Table
Periods
Horizontal rows are called periods.
There are 7 periods.
Elements in the same period have the same number of electron shells.
Example:
● Sodium: 2,8,1
● Magnesium: 2,8,2
Both are in Period 3.
Groups
Vertical columns are called groups.
Elements in the same group have similar chemical properties.
Page 5: Metals and Non-metals
Metals
Properties:
● Good conductors of heat
● Good conductors of electricity
● Malleable
● Ductile
● High melting points
Examples:
● Iron
● Copper
● Aluminium
Non-metals
Properties:
● Poor conductors
● Brittle
● Usually lower melting points
Examples:
● Oxygen
● Sulfur
● Carbon
Page 6: Group I – Alkali Metals
Examples
● Lithium
● Sodium
● Potassium
Properties
● Soft metals
● Low density
● Very reactive
● Form alkaline solutions in water
Reactivity Trend
Reactivity increases down the group.
Lithium < Sodium < Potassium
Reason:
● Outer electron is further from nucleus.
● Easier to lose.
Page 7: Group VII – Halogens
Examples
● Fluorine
● Chlorine
● Bromine
● Iodine
Properties
● Non-metals
● Coloured
● Toxic
● Exist as molecules
Reactivity Trend
Reactivity decreases down the group.
Fluorine > Chlorine > Bromine > Iodine
Reason:
● Harder to gain an electron further down the group.
Page 8: Group 0 – Noble Gases
Examples
● Helium
● Neon
● Argon
● Krypton
Properties
● Colourless
● Odourless
● Very unreactive
Why are they unreactive?
They have a full outer electron shell.
Uses
● Helium → Balloons
● Neon → Advertising signs
● Argon → Light bulbs
Page 9: Transition Metals
Examples
● Iron
● Copper
● Nickel
● Zinc
Properties
● Good conductors
● Strong and hard
● High melting points
● Less reactive than Group I metals
Uses
Iron
Construction and machinery
Copper
Electrical wiring
Zinc
Galvanising steel
Page 10: Summary and Trends
Important Trends
Across a Period
● Number of protons increases.
● Number of electrons increases.
Down a Group
● Number of electron shells increases.
Key Groups
Group Name
Group Alkali
I Metal
s
Group Halogens
VII
Group Noble
0 Gase
s
Common Exam Questions
Why do elements in the same group have similar properties?
Because they have the same number of outer-shell electrons.
Why are noble gases unreactive?
Because they have a full outer electron shell.
Which group is the most reactive metal group?
Group I (Alkali Metals).
Which group is the most reactive non-metal group?
Group VII (Halogens).
Quick Summary
✓ Elements are arranged by atomic number.
✓ Periods are horizontal rows.
✓ Groups are vertical columns.
✓ Metals are on the left side of the table.
✓ Non-metals are on the right side.
✓ Group I becomes more reactive down the group.
✓ Group VII becomes less reactive down the group.
✓ Group 0 elements are very stable and unreactive.
This topic is great because you can add colourful periodic table diagrams, atomic structure
drawings, and comparison charts to easily reach 10 pages.