Group A group is the vertical column of elements on the periodic table that goes up and down. Also known as a family. Periods A period is the horizontal row of elements on the periodic table that goes side to side. Element A substance that cannot be broken down by natural and chemical means. Compound Two or more elements combined. Compounds can be decomposed into the base elements. Atomic Number The number of protons in the nucleus, also the number which it appears on the periodic table. Atomic Mass The average amount of atoms in a naturally occurring element. Atom The smallest particle of mass in an element. Ion An atom or group of atoms that have an electric charge. Valence Electron The electrons on the outside of the atom that bond most with other electrons and atoms. Metal The elements left of the metalloid boundary. About 80% of elements are metals. Nonmetal The elements right of the metalloid boundary. Nonmetals cannot conduct electricity and are very brittle. They also do not reflect light. Metalloids Elements that have properties of metals and nonmetals. Noble Gas Noble gases have 0 oxidation which means they cannot bond with other elements and form compounds. All noble gases have the maximum amount of electrons which makes them stable elements. Alkali Metal Alkali metals are very reactive and do not naturally occur in nature due to their reactivity with other elements. Alkali metals can explode if they are placed in water. Alkaline Earth Metal Alkaline earth metals are also very reactive and do not occur freely in nature. They are metallic elements that are found in the 2nd group of the periodic table. Halogen Halogen elements are non-metallic “salts”. The halogen elements have 3 states at room temperature, Solid (Iodine and Astatine), Liquid (Bromine), and Gas (Fluorine and Chlorine). Cation A positive ion, an atom or group of atoms that have lost one or more electrons. Anion A negative ion, an atom or group of atoms that have gained one or more electrons. Electron Affinity The amount of energy that is gained or lost when electrons are traded between atoms. Electronegativity (explain the trend) The probability that an atom will attract electrons when bonded with another atom. Ionization Energy (explain the trend) The minimum amount of energy required to move one electron to or from an atom. Atomic Radii (explain the trend) The radius of an atom. Density The "heaviness" of the element. Usually measured against water or by the gram. Melting Point The temperature when an element turns to a completely liquid form. Reactivity The tendency of atoms to attract electrons to form different compounds.
Periodic-als Element Research
Element Selected: Lithium
Why did you select this element? I selected this element because Lithium is a fairly rare element, but it also used in a lot of products such as batteries.
Basic Info:
Element Name: Lithium
Element Symbol: Li
Atomic Number: 3
Atomic Mass: 6.941 amu
Element Classification (metal, nonmetal, gas): Alkali Metal
MLA Citation: Winter, Mark. "Lithium." WebElements Periodic Table of the Elements. WebElements.com, n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2014.
History Facts
Lithium was discovered in 1817 by Johan August Arfvedson in Stockholm, Sweden.
The name is derived from greek “lithos” which means stone. It is named this way because it was discovered from a mineral source, and the other two common elements, sodium and potassium, were discovered from plant sources.
The first chemical isolation of lithium was performed in 1855, by W.T. Brande and Sir Humphrey Davy using the electrolysis of lithium oxide. Bunsen and Mattissen were able to isolate larger amounts of lithium using electrolysis of lithium chloride.
Johan Arfvedson discovered in 1818 that the lithium salt burns bright red when exposed to flame.
In 1923 Metallgesellschaft AG of Germany had achieved the first commercial production of lithium by using the electrolysis of a molten mixture of lithium chloride and potassium chloride.
Uses Facts
Lithium is commonly used in consumer batteries (Lithium-Ion). This battery is one of the most efficient battery technologies available, with a high energy density, no memory effect, and slow discharge rate when not in use. However, these batteries can be extremely dangerous since they contain a flammable electrolyte and are under extreme pressure.
Lithium stearate is mixed with oil to create high temperature and all purpose lubricants.
Lithium is used to create high strength ceramics and glasses.
Lithium based compounds such as lithium carbonate are used to treat manic-depressive disorders.
Lithium can be mixed with aluminum, copper, manganese, and cadmium to create durable and high performance aircraft bodies.
Properties Facts
Lithium’s melting point is 453.69 Degrees Kelvin (356.97 °F)
The boiling point is 1615 Degrees Kelvin (2448 °F)
The mineral hardness of lithium is 0.6.
Lithium cannot normally be made in a laboratory.
The entire world has approximately 13 million tons of Lithium in reserve.
Element Facts Source 2
Source 2 Title: The History of Lithium
MLA Citation: James, Goleda. "The History Of Lithium." The History Of Lithium. Lithia Springs History, n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2014.
History Facts
Although being discovered in 1817, lithium had been in use since ancient Egyptian times.
Lithium Carbonate has been used as a treatment for Mania since 1948.
In 1890, the first American hospital to treat things such as alcoholism, opioid addiction, and sporadic behavior opened. This hospital used natural lithium water to treat these mental illnesses. Manic depression had not been classified as a mental illness at the time, but it could also be treated with lithium.
In 1999 scientists celebrated the 50th anniversary of discovering this drug using lithium, which had a huge impact on the treatment of mental health.
The treatment of mental illnesses using lithium was approved by the FDA in 1969.
Uses Facts
Lithium can be used to treat many mental illnesses, including alcoholism, opioid addiction, sporadic behavior, and manic depression.
Lithium was formerly used to treat kidney and bladder blockage.
Lithium water can be used to treat eczema, acne, and other skin eruptions or deformities.
Lithium water can be drank to ease bladder inflammation, or deposits in the bladder and kidneys.
Lithium water can also be used to treat arthritis, gout, and many other joint diseases.
Properties Facts
When lithium is mixed with water, it becomes more alkaline, which is good to drink an hour before meals.
Lithium is a soft, silver metal that can be dissolved into water using lithium carbonate.
Varying amounts of lithium have been found in living organisms, but it doesn’t provide any apparent biological function.
People who drink lithium water or have lithium in them are said to have far less suicide rates and all around better health.
interview a famous scientist questions
Scientist Selected: Dmitri Mendeleev
Why did you select this scientist? He is the creator of the Periodic Table and is one of the most interesting scientists of his time.
Basic Info:
Full Name: Dmitri Ivanovich Mendeleev
Country of Birth: Russian Empire
Birth and death year: 1834-1907
10 Interview Questions:
What did the scientists and Russian people of the time think of your discoveries and creation of the periodic table?
How did you predict the existence of Gallium and Germanium with no evidence?
What was the general state of the periodic table during your lifetime?
How exactly are all of the elements organized on the table?
What are the different sections of the periodic table?
Why is the periodic table shaped like a “castle” and not just a rectangle?
How long did it take to develop the periodic table?
How long did it take to develop the Russian-language chemistry textbook?
How long did it take to write “The Relation between the Properties and Atomic Weights of the Elements”?
How did your periodic table become so successful?
Source for Basic Info
Title: Dmitri Mendeleev
MLA Citation: Doc, The. "Dmitri Mendeleev." Famous Scientists. Famous Scientists, n.d. Web. 18 Sept. 2014.
Scientist Interview Question Facts
Source 1 Title: Dmitri Mendeleev
MLA Citation: MLA Citation: Doc, The. "Dmitri Mendeleev." Famous Scientists. Famous Scientists, n.d. Web. 18 Sept. 2014.
Source 3 Title: The arrangement of elements in the Periodic TableMLA Citation: "The Arrangement of Elements in the Periodic Table." AThe Arrangement of Elements in the Periodic Table. Education Scotland UK, n.d. Web. 18 Sept. 2014.
Source 4 Title: Why Is the Periodic Table Shaped like a Castle?
MLA Citation: "Why Is the Periodic Table Shaped like a Castle? - Tutor Delphia." Tutor Delphia Why Is the Periodic Table Shaped like a Castle Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Sept. 2014.
Interview Question #1: What did the scientists and Russian people of the time think of your discoveries and creation of the periodic table?
There wasn’t any way of organizing the periodic table at the time
There were little to none Russian-language books on chemistry
Mendeleev’s periodic table changed the entire concept of elements
Interview Question #2: How did you predict the existence of Gallium and Germanium with no evidence?
He wasn’t able to actually predict the existence, but he predicted elements with the properties of gallium and germanium using their empty places on the periodic table.
A german scientist named Clemens Winkler discovered Germanium in Freiburg, Germany in 1886.
Gallium was discovered by Paul-Émile Lecoq de Boisbaudran in France in 1875.
Interview Question #3: What was the general state of the periodic table during your lifetime?
There was no way of organizing the elements until Mendeleev’s solution was discovered.
The periodic table itself did not exist until Mendeleev invented it.
Many elements were unknown and wouldn’t have been discovered if Mendeleev didn’t create the periodic table.
Interview Question #4: How exactly are all of the elements organized on the table?
The elements are organized by increasing atomic number
The groups and periods on the table have the same characteristics, like the noble gases, or alkali metals.
The gas elements are found on the top right of the table.
Interview Question #5: What are the different sections of the periodic table?
These sections were designed by Mendeleev to house certain elements.
The different type of elements on the periodic table are solids, liquids, and gases.
Interview Question #6: Why is the periodic table shaped like a “castle” and not just a rectangle?
The table is organized by elemental stability and atomic number
Helium (number 2 on the table) is to the right of the table, because it is a noble gas.
The elements are also grouped by electron configuration
Interview Question #7: How long did it take to develop the periodic table?
After retiring as a teacher, Dmitri Mendeleev wrote the book “principles of chemistry”
Dmitri created note cards of each element, and then organized them in different ways.
He found that elements with similar atomic numbers also grouped together in categories.
Interview Question #8: How long did it take to develop the Russian-language chemistry textbook?
There were no textbooks that he liked at the time
It took many years of research and writing to develop his textbook
He could only write about 8 of the 63 known elements at the time
Interview Question #9: How long did it take to write “The Relation between the Properties and Atomic Weights of the Elements”?
His book was written along side of the periodic table
He wrote in the book as he was designing the periodic table, discovering new properties of elements
Mendeleev’s textbook was also heavily involved in the process of writing
Interview Question #10: How did your periodic table become so successful?
Since there was no other solution for organizing the elements, Mendeleev’s solution was quickly accepted by the scientific community
Mendeleev had solid evidence of all the element spots, and even predicted the existence of many more elements
Mendeleev’s table also has incredibly accurate information
periodic-als science in the news:
Name: Brad Date: September 29, 2014
Periodic-als Science in the News
Topic Selected: Ebola Why did you select this topic?: I selected this topic because it is a current event that is still going on and is very important in the world today.
Why is this topic currently a news headline?: This topic is a news headline because the number of people being infected with Ebola is up to 1 million, which is a lot of people considering what a deadly disease Ebola is. It is also the worst outbreak ever of this disease.
Facts Source 1
Source 1 Title: Ebola epidemic could top 1 million, CDC warns MLA Citation: Raloff, Janet. "Ebola Epidemic Could Top 1 Million, CDC Warns." Student Science. Student Science, 24 Sept. 2014. Web. 28 Sept. 2014.
The virus has claimed and infected a staggering amount of victims since the outbreak began in December 2013.
The current outbreak is larger than all Ebola outbreaks combined.
As of September 23, 2014, the Ebola virus has infected at least 5,864 people, 2,811 of which have died.
For 3 months, the disease was unknown as Ebola before it was identified in December 2013.
One of the best known symptoms of Ebola is uncontrolled bleeding, however only one person infected has experienced this symptom.
The major symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, feeling very tired, diarrhea, and a constant headache.
Health officals have said the crisis is nowhere near the end.
There could be thousands of new infections per week in the next few months.
The death rate is currently 7 out of 10 people who get Ebola.
The country with the most victims so far has been Sierra Leone, in west Africa.
The number of Ebola victims could reach 550,000 in the coming months, the CDC warns.
The disease has spread to many large cities and the capitals of Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia.
There are more sick people than hospital beds to care for them.
Newly opened clinics are being filled with Ebola patients within hours.
More than 170 foreign health workers have contracted Ebola so far.
Previous outbreaks have began in jungle areas or rural villages, but this outbreak began in large capital cities, infecting many people.
Many people who were infected lived in densely populated areas, but were away from medical care, infecting many more people.
There is no licensed treatment for Ebola, and since it is a virus it can adapt and eventually survive the treatment.
There is no preventative vaccine for Ebola, but there are 2 in trial testing.
Many of the severely hit countries have poor medical care.
The disease is transmitted by contact with bodily fluids of an infected person (urine, blood, etc.). In areas with poor medical care this can cause the disease to spread quickly.
Health care workers have been frequently infected with the virus, but this only happens when medical procedures have not been strictly followed.
Humans are not contagious until the disease’s symptoms show up.
It is difficult to distinguish Ebola from diseases such as malaria, typhoid fever, and meningitis.
Samples from infected patients are an extreme biohazard risk.
The general virus includes 3 sub-viruses, Cuevavirus, Marburg Virus, and Ebola Virus.
5 species have also been discovered, Zaire, Bundibugyo, Sudan, Reston, and Taï forest.
The Zaire virus has been the main cause of the 2014 Ebola outbreak.
Symptoms can show in 2 to 21 days after contracting the virus from an infected person.
periodic-als molecule profile
Name: Brad
Date: September 30, 2014
Periodic-als Molecule Profile
Molecule Selected: Smog
Why did you select this Molecule?: I selected this molecule because it is a relevant and interesting topic to cover.
How is this Molecule important/relevant to your life?: This molecule is important in my life because smog is polluting our atmosphere and making our air hard to breathe.
Smog is air pollution found in many urban areas and cities.
It makes the air very hard to see through, and can impair breathing.
Photochemical smog, which is commonly found in modern cities, is the result of car emissions and other air pollutants.
Photochemical smog is the most biologically damaging form of smog.
Smog can contribute to many lung diseases, as the reactivity of the ozone layer can damage lung tissue.
Nitrogen Dioxide from vehicle emissions is photolyzed by UV radiation from the sun and turns into Nitrogen Oxide.
Every new car sold in the United States must include a catalytic converter, to prevent smog from entering the atmosphere.
Sulfur dioxide is a common component of smog, and can damage your lungs
London smog is caused by burning large amounts of coal containing high amounts of sulfur.
London smog is not very prevalent in modern societies, but it is still found all around the world.
Sulfur dioxide, which is found in smog, can also be found in volcanic eruptions.
Los Angeles smog is commonly photochemical smog mixed with sunlight.
London Smog is still a problem in places that burn a large amount of coal for heat.
A dense population, ample sunlight, and a high population all contribute to smog.
Smog commonly packs in valleys by mountains where it has nowhere to escape to.
Facts Source 2
Source 2 Title: Air Pollution
MLA Citation: "Air Pollution Facts, Air Pollution Effects, Air Pollution Solutions, Air Pollution Causes - National Geographic." National Geographic. National Geographic, n.d. Web. 29 Sept. 2014.
There are visible and invisible forms of smog and air pollution
Smog contributes to global warming
Carbon dioxide is the most common form of air pollution that is warming Earth
In the past 150 years, carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has reached levels higher than they have been in hundreds of thousands of years
Other greenhouse gases include methane and chlorofluorocarbons, which were banned after it was found they were destroying the ozone layer.
Sulfur dioxide is the main cause of acid rain, which destroys plants..
Sulfur dioxide blocks the sun’s rays, which cools the earth
Volcanoes used to be the main source of sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere, today it is humans
Lower sulfur dioxide levels actually worsen global warming, but it is part of regular smog and pollution that contributes to global warming.
The Kyoto protocol mandates that governments and countries cut back on carbon dioxide emissions
People can help curb the carbon footprint by driving and flying less, recycling, and not using aerosols or other air pollutants.
Although living things emit carbon dioxide when they breathe, the rate that carbon dioxide is produced as pollution far outweighs breathing.
Air pollution doesn’t just have an adverse effect on humans, it can affect trees, crops, and wildlife too.
Many cities have cut down on pollution but cities in China, Iran, India, Afghanistan, and Qatar still have very bad pollution problems.
Beijing only had 13 days considered “good”, 70 days of moderate air pollution, 64 days of levels unhealthy to certain groups of people, 148 unhealthy days, 14 hazardous/emergency days, and one day that registered beyond hazardous/emergency.
ionic compound
Ionic Compound Selected: Sodium Acetate Why did you select this Ionic Compound?: I chose this compound because it has a lot of uses and is relatively harmless to humans. It also creates a cool “hot ice” effect. How is this Ionic Compound important/relevant to your life? This compound is relevant because it is harmless to humans, and can be used for many positive uses such as heating pads to soothe injuries.
Facts on the METAL in your Compound
Source 1 Title: Sodium MLA Citation: "The Element Sodium." It's Elemental -. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Oct. 2014.
Sodium is naturally in the human body, it makes up a lot of our sweat
Sodium is the 6th most abundant element on earth
Although it is so abundant, it is rarely ever found by itself, since it is very reactive
Liquid sodium is used to cool nuclear reactors
Sodium vapor is commonly found in street lamps, and creates a bright yellow light
Sodium must be stored in a moisture free environment since it can violently react with water.
Some of the most common sodium compounds are table salt, soda ash, baking soda, caustic soda, chile saltpeter, and borax.
Sodium is solid at room temperature
The atomic number for sodium is 11
Sodium was first isolated in 1807 through electrolysis of caustic soda, to create pure Sodium.
Facts on the NONMETAL in your Compound
Source 2 Title: Facts About Oxygen MLA Citation: Pappas, By Stephanie. "Facts About Oxygen." LiveScience. TechMedia Network, 28 Sept. 2014. Web. 06 Oct. 2014.
Most living things depend on Oxygen to survive
Earth is estimated to have been Oxygenated for at least 2.5 billion years
Although almost everything living requires Oxygen now, when it was first introduced into the atmosphere many species went extinct because they couldn’t adapt to the new Oxygenated air.
Oxygen was discovered in 1608 by Cornelius Drebbel
Oxygen has a total of eight electrons, two orbit the nucleus and 6 orbit the outermost shell.
Oxygen is a clear gas, but a pale blue liquid.
Breathing more than 80 percent Oxygen for more than 12 hours can cause fatal liquid buildup in your lungs.
An Oxygen molecule can survive pressures up to 19 times that of the atmosphere.
Oxygen liquefies at -297.3 degrees Fahrenheit
The Mount Everest “death zone” has the lowest levels of Oxygen ever recorded
Facts on the Ionic Compound
Source 2 Title: How To Make Sodium Acetate Supersaturation MLA Citation: "How To Make Sodium Acetate Supersaturation." Some Interesting Facts. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Oct. 2014.
Sodium acetate is also known as “hot ice” since it crystallizes and looks like ice, but is actually quite hot
Sodium acetate is a salt that dissolves in water.
If you boil sodium acetate salt and water, the solution can be poured onto a surface and will crystallize.
The crystallization process needs a nucleus point, which could be your finger, or another foreign object.
The dissolution point of sodium acetate crystals in water is 100 degrees Celsius or 212 degrees Fahrenheit.
Sodium acetate is also an ingredient in many chip or snack flavorings.
Sodium acetate can be used in concrete to prevent water damage, since the crystals expand when exposed to water (rain).
Sodium acetate can be used for sculptures or other art forms, and is reusable if it is melted.
Sodium acetate can be homemade with store bought materials, or purchased as a chemical compound.
Sodium acetate can be created at home by mixing baking soda and vinegar, and then heating and boiling the liquid result.
covalent compound facts
Name: ____________________
Date: ____________________
Periodic-als Covalent Compound
Covalent Compound Selected: Octane/Gasoline
Why did you select this Covalent Compound? Is it Polar or Non-polar Covalent? I selected this compound because it is a big part of our lives and our dependency of gasoline powered cars. Octane is a non-polar covalent, meaning the Carbon and Hydrogen atoms are at equal charges.
How is this Covalent Compound important/relevant to your life? This compound is important in my life because a lot of our lives revolves around gasoline and gasoline powered cars. Octane is part of gasoline and serves a big purpose.