chemistry understanding help!?

Question

1. If i'm asked to compare the numbers of metals, nonmetals, and metalloids in the periodic table...what im i suppose to be comparing?
2. wat are some of the properties of Lithium, beryllium, boron, Carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, fluorine and neon?
3. what arre some physical and chemical properties of: alkali metals, halogens, and noble gases?
4.what is the most likely chemcail formula for a compound of phosphorus and hydrogen that is also in demand in the chemical industry?

Answer 1

To compare the number of each on the periodic table you must look at the table and find the "stair-step" line which separates the metals from the nonmetals. It is located to the left of Boron then stair-steps down the table to the right. Metals are to the left of this line as well as the two series found at the bottom of the table. Nonmetals are to the left of this line and also include hydrogen. Metalloids border the stair-step line on each side.

When you look at these regions of the table it is easy to see that metals compose most of the elements. Nonmetals are next and metalloids are the fewest.

Li is an active metal in the alkali group which has one valence electron. It will lose that electron and form Li 1+ ions. It is extremely reactive and will react quickly when placed in water.

Be is the first element of the alkaline-earth group. It is also an active metal, but not as reactive as Li. It has two valence electrons which it will lose to form Be 2+ ion

B is in group 3A. It is the same group as Al. B is not as reactive and has 3 valence electrons to lose and form B 3+ ions

C is in group 4A and has the ability to form 4 bonds with other atoms. Life on our planet is carbon-based. Carbon compounds are so numerous and important that an entire branch of chemistry - organic chemistry - is built around it.

N is in group 5A and will gain three electrons to add to its 5 valence electrons to form N 3- ion. Diatomic N = N2 and is 78% of the air around us. It is "fixed" by certain bacteria found in the root nodules of legumes and helps fertilize plants.

O is in group 6A (chalcogens) and has 6 valence electrons. It will gain two more to form O 2- ions. Diatomic O = O2 and is 21% of the air around us. It is required for combustion (burining) to occur.

F is in the halogens (group 7A) and has 7 valence electrons. It will gain one more to form F 1- ion. F is diatomic in its natural state. It is a poisonous gas.

Ne is in group 8A (noble gases) and has 8 valence electrons. It will not form any ion since it has a full set of valence electrons. Ne does not react at all under normal conditions. It is used to make colorful (red-orange) neon lights.

Alkali metals are very active and will never exist in their elemental state in nature. They all react with water to form hydrogen gas and a metallic hydroxide. They are solids at room temperature as are all metals except mercury.

Halogens are nonmetals in group 7A. They react quickly and are not stable as single atoms in their elemental state. They will form diatomic molecules (groups of two atoms) to make them more stable. They range from gases to liquid to solids at room temperature. They form poisonous gases which are colored and have a pungent odor.

Noble gases are group 8A. They have a full set of valence electrons and will not react under normal conditions. They can be forced to react (except He and Ne) under conditions of high temperature and pressure. They are all gases at room temperature. They are colorless, odorless, and tasteless.

A compound of hydrogen and phosphorus would be PH3, or phosphine. It is use in agriculture as a pesticide and in industry to make computer chips.

Answer 2

Does it have to be just chemistry? I've had plenty of physics in my life and am pretty sure that physics plays a pretty important role as well. Although as a believer, I would say that chemistry and physics are the means by which God maintains the universe.