Overview:

The safe handling of chemicals is an important consideration, in the home and in the workplace. Understanding the properties of pure substances and mixtures requires one to study atoms - the building block of matter.

Let's investigate the classification of elements on the periodic table to help us learn more about atoms. Start with a periodic table that includes pictures of the elements. Seeing familiar objects will make it easier for you to remember the names of common elements. Click the following button to visit a periodic table featuring pictures of elements.

How many metals did you recogize? Did you see graphics of any nonmetals? Were most of the elements shown solids, liquids or gases? Periodic tables generally do not include pictures of the elements. Look at the staircase to the right. Can you find this staircase in the virtual periodic table that follows. Look at the legend to learn how to recognize the metals, nonmetals, metalloids, solids, liquids and gases. Rows of elements are called periods and columns of elements are called groups. Move your cursor over various elements on the table below to see the period and group number for that substance.

The following game will help you learn to classify elements. Each level focuses on a group of elements with particular characteristics. Check the following to make sure you understand the game levels and periodic table legend before starting the game.:

Level of Play	Period Table Example	Comment(s)
metal		left of the staircase good electricity conductor, metallic luster, maleable (bendable)
nonmetal		right of the staircase poor electrical conductor, dull luster, not maleable
metaloid		close to staircase semiconductors of electricity, dull luster, not maleable
solid	Au	black font
liquid	Hg	blue font
gas	H	red font

The virtual periodic table below the game will help you complete the"Munchers" game". If you do not want to scroll back and forth to the periodic table, click the "?" and another periodic table will pop up in a new window.

For questions 1 to 5, read each statement carefully. Decide which of the choices BEST completes the statement or answers the question. Place your answer in the blank space given. The virtual periodic table following question #6 may be used if you need help answering these questions.

1. The rows of a periodic table are called

elements
groups
periods
atoms

2. The element in period 4 and group 11 is

silver
copper
hydrogen
aluminum

3. Which of the following is a property of a metal? Consider returning to the periodic table in the e-Text if you need to look at images of the elements.

 

brittle
bendable
poor conductor of heat and electricity
usually dull in appearance

4. Elements that have some properties of metals and some properties of non-metals
are called

atoms
gases
metals
metalloids

5. An example of a non-metal is

sulphur
aluminum
gallium
bismuth

6. Complete the following table. The virtual periodic table is visible below the table.

This work has been adapted from a learning resource originally produced and owned by the Crown in Right of Alberta, as represented by the Minister of Learning, Alberta Learning.