Periodic Table Vocab

Period

The rows of the periodic table.

Group

The columns of the periodic table.

Column

When each column changes moving from left to right, a new electron is added to the outer shell of the atoms.

Row

When the rows change moving from top to bottom of the periodic table, a new outer shell of the electrons (valence shell) is added.

Scientific Notation

A way to make math easier by breaking up a number so there is only one number to the left of the decimal point (units digit) and the other non-zero numbers after the decimal point. That number is then multipled by a power of 10 based on its original value. 

Proton

A subatomic particle that makes up the nucleus in an atom; it has a positive charge. It is also a nucleon. 

Neutron

A subatomic particle with a neutral charge that makes up the nucleus of the atom. It is a nucleon along with protons.

Electron

A subatomic particle with a negative charge that orbits around the nucleus of the atom.

Electron Shell

The rings around the nucleus of anatomy which electrons orbit on; the energy levels.

Dmitri Mendeleev

He was a Russian teacher that organized the elements into the periodic table, and made many predictions about elements not found during that time but seem to fit in the periodic table. He originally tried to sort the elements to create a textbook for his students, but ended up finding the “laws of nature”. 

Valence Electron

The outermost electron from the nucleus of an atom.

Valence Electron Shell

The outermost electron shell of an atom.

Element

Pure substances that are made up of one kind of atom.

Lewis Dot Diagram

A graphic organizer that represents electron configuration and bonding.

To create one: Start in top center, slightly left, then go clockwise in same manner and place dots in those places. Amount of rotating times/dots corresponds to the amount of electrons in the atom (outermost shell, - the valence electrons). Place element symbol in middle. 

Graphic Organizer

An visual display of data - illustrations, graphs, and diagrams.

Observation

Describe characteristics of a phenomenon.

Model

Any way an idea is explained -

Physical models: uses tangible representations to explain (you could touch it)

Mental models: uses words to explain a phenomoenon

Mathematic models: uses numbers, equations, or formulas to explain things

Computer models: uses many mental and mathematic models combined with data to make meaningful predications

Description

Words that identify properties of a phenomenon.

Explaination

A response to make clear the method or cause by which a phenomenon occurs: explainations answer the question, “How?”

Characteristics

Traits of a phenomenon

Concept

A single, distinct name for an idea, notion, or thought that describes a phenomenon.

Phenomenon

Any observable event

Process

A change from some initial state to some final state.