Periodic Table and Element Properties

Flashcards covering key terms related to the periodic table and elemental properties.

Atomic Mass

The weighted average mass of an atom's isotopes, measured in atomic mass units (amu).

Atomic Number

The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom, which determines the element's identity and position on the periodic table.

Element/Chemical Symbol

A one or two letter abbreviation representing a chemical element, with the first letter capitalized.

Periodic Table

A table arrangement of chemical elements organized by increasing atomic number, with rows called periods and columns called groups.

Groups

Vertical columns in the Periodic Table that categorize elements with similar properties and valence electron configurations.

Periods

Horizontal rows in the Periodic Table that categorize elements according to their atomic number and properties.

Element

A pure substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances and consists of only one type of atom.

Alkali Metals

Elements in Group 1 of the periodic table, highly reactive with water and oxygen.

Alkaline Earth Metals

Elements in Group 2 of the periodic table, reactive but less so than alkali metals, known for forming basic oxides and hydroxides.

Post-Transition Metals

Elements in groups 13 to 16 of the periodic table, characterized by being softer.

Transition Metals

Elements found in the d-block of the periodic table, known for their variable oxidation states and colored compounds.

Metalloids

Elements with properties intermediate between metals and nonmetals, displaying mixed characteristics.

Non-Metals

Elements that lack metallic properties, poor conductors, often found in gaseous or solid forms at room temperature.

Halogens

Elements in Group 17 of the periodic table, highly reactive and known for forming salts with metals.

Lanthanides

A series of 15 metals from cerium to lutetium, known for their similar properties and high reactivity.