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The periodic table is organized a very specific way. Why was that way chosen and not another way which might be easier to follow?

2006-09-12 09:30:01 · 9 answers · asked by Take it from Toby 7 in Science & Mathematics Chemistry

9 answers

It is organized by reactivity (valence numbers) and by molecular weight.
It is important to know the reactivity groupings for chemistry, rather than just the density or alphabetical listings which might be used in physics.

2006-09-12 09:32:32 · answer #1 · answered by auntiegrav 6 · 2 0

The Periodic table is designed to help you predict what an element's physical and chemical properties are. You can also predict what elements will bond with each other.

First, let's look at the columns and rows of the periodic table.

Groups or Families

The vertical columns of the periodic table (there are 18) are called groups or families. Elements in the same group or family have similar but not identical characteristics. You can know properties of a certain element by knowing which group it belongs to.

Periods

The horizontal rows of the periodic table are called periods. Elements in a period are not alike in properties. As a rule, the first element in a period is usually an active solid, and the last element in a period is always an inactive gas. Atomic size decreases from left to right across a period, but atomic mass increases from left to right across a period. Atoms on the left of the period, therefore, are usually larger and more lightweight than the smaller, heavier atoms on the right of the period.

Think Inside the Box

When you look at the periodic table, you should notice that each box represents a different element, and each box contains vital information about the element, including its name, symbol, atomic number, and atomic mass.

The top number is the atomic number. Every element has its own unique atomic number. The atomic number tells how many protons are in one atom of that element. Since no two elements have the same atomic number, no two elements have the same number of protons.

The large letter is the element's symbol, and just below that is the element's name. Each element has its own unique symbol and name. It is often very useful to memorize symbols and names for elements, especially the more commonly used elements.

Below the name is the element's atomic mass. The atomic mass is the mass in atomic mass units for all possible isotopes of that element. The atomic mass essentially gives you an estimate of how massive one atom of that element is.

2006-09-12 09:33:49 · answer #2 · answered by askyourq 3 · 1 0

The table was organized to group the similar elements with other similar elements due to bonding with other elements and the type of element it is. Elements from column 1 and column 17 make salts like Na Cl and Na F. also When Acids and Bases mix to make the Ph of each other 0, the liquid at the end of mixing them becomes a salt water.

2006-09-12 09:40:16 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

It was first devised by Dmitri Mendeleev but it has been adjusted over time. I doubt there could possibly be a better organization. The elements are grouped based on their behaviors, the amount of electrons in their outer shell, their electron configuration, etc. If you study the trends displayed in the organization it is very logical.

2006-09-12 09:37:38 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1 0

The Periodic table is prepared by employing the fashion of protons contained in the nucleus of each and every ingredient's atom, effortless because the atomic variety. the elements are then prepared so as of increasing atomic numbers. it is also prepared by employing houses, metals on the left, transition metals contained in the middle, and nonmetals on the right. desire this facilitates :)

2016-11-26 20:08:30 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

periodic table had been developed since russian chemist mandaliv discovered this proparty for elements so the early version of periodic table was bit diferent than the new one found by british chemist Mosley.. as Mosley made the 8 groups as A & B where B "s are the transation elements

2006-09-12 09:37:56 · answer #6 · answered by source_of_love_69 3 · 0 2

by the number of protons in the atom...eg calcium is 20..it has 20 protons floating around the center neutron

2006-09-12 09:33:11 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

Here's a good link to all the info:

2006-09-12 09:33:07 · answer #8 · answered by Archer Christifori 6 · 0 1

because they way the protons and electrons in a nucleus

2006-09-12 09:31:39 · answer #9 · answered by firerox44 2 · 0 3

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