Elements As Building Blocks
Elements As Building Blocks
Elements As Building Blocks
The periodic table is organized like a big grid. Each element is placed in a
specific location because of its atomic structure. As with any grid, the
periodic table has rows (left to right) and columns (up and down). Each row
and column has specific characteristics. For example, magnesium (Mg)
and calcium (Mg) are found in column two and share certain similarities
while potassium (K) and calcium (Ca) from row four share different
characteristics. Magnesium and sodium (Na) also share qualities because
they are in the same period (similar electron configurations).
Every element in the first column (group one) has one electron in its outer
shell. Every element in the second column (group two) has two electrons in
the outer shell. As you keep counting the columns, you'll know how many
electrons are in the outer shell. There are exceptions to the order when you
look at the transition elements, but you get the general idea. Transition
elements add electrons to the second-to-last orbital.
For example, nitrogen (N) has the atomic number seven. The atomic number
tells you there are seven electrons in a neutral atom of nitrogen. How many
electrons are in its outer orbital? Nitrogen is in the fifteenth column, labelled
'Group VA'. The 'V' is the Roman numeral for five and represents the number
of electrons in the outer orbital. All of that information tells you there are
two electrons in the first orbital and five in the second (2-5).
Phosphorus (P) is also in Group VA which means it also has five electrons in
its outer orbital. However, because the atomic number for phosphorus is
fifteen, the electron configuration is 2-8-5.
The columns of the periodic table are often used to define families.
The noble gases are all located in the far right column of the table. That
column is labeled Group Zero. Other families can be made of elements in a
series. A good example of a series of elements is the transition
metal family.