The Periodic Table
What is the periodic table?
- The periodic table is the elements organised in order of increasing atomic number
- Arranged into groups and periods
- Periodic: regular intervals
Groups
Columns going down
Same group: similar chemical properties
Same number of electrons on their outer shell
8 Groups
- i: Alkali metals
- ii: Alkaline earth metal
- iii: Transition metals
- vii: Halogens
- viii: Noble inert gases
Periods
Rows going across
Labelled => N=1 to N=7
Same period: Same number of orbits/shells
Important terms
Isotope
Atoms of the same element that have different number of neutrons
Example: Carbon
Stability
Elements that have a full outer shell => very unreactive
Octet Rule
Atoms must have a full outer shell (8)
Molecules
A molecule is a group of atoms joined together. It is the smallest particle of an element or compound that can exist independently
Example: Hydrogen (H2) and Water (H2O)
Chemical bond: force holding atom together
Ionic bonding
Ion: charged atom or group of atoms
Ionic bonding steal or give an electron
- If an atom gives away an electron => positively charged +
- If an atom receives/steals an atom => negatively charged -
Example: Sodium chloride => NaCl

Covalent Bonding
Sharing electrons
Example: water => H2O
