Name _Logan Whitton

___________________________________ Date_______________________

Families of Elements

Key Words: Atom, Atomic Mass, Element, Family (of elements), Metal, Periodic Table of Elements

Getting Started:
1. Read the introduction and Challenge to Activity 15, “Families of Elements,” in your Student.

Procedure:
1. Look at the Element Cards attached to this packet. The picture below shows the information that is
found on each card. The bulleted list explains each piece of information further.

 Element
 Element name
 Whether the element is a metal or non-metal


© 2014 The Regents of the University of California

Whether the element is solid, liquid, or gas at room temperature
 Color
 Atomic mass: the mass of the smallest particle (an atom) of the element
 Reactivity: how likely the element is to react chemically with other elements
 Number of bonds to hydrogen: the number of hydrogen atoms that usually combine chemically
with this element when they react

2. Examine the information on each card carefully, noting similarities and differences among the
elements.

3. Sort the elements into at least three groups. Each group should have at least two similar properties.

4. List the groups you made and the common features of each. Be sure to record all the elements in
each group.

IAPS Chemistry of Materials: Activity 15 Absent Work

Name _Logan Whitton
___________________________________ Date_______________________

5. Look at the four Element Family Cards attached to this packet. Each card describes a group of
elements called a family. Based on the information on the Family Cards, place each element under a
card.

6. Arrange the elements in each family in order from lowest atomic mass at the top to highest atomic
mass at the bottom.

7. Line up the four columns of elements to form a table, so that the elements are in columns and rows.
Use the atomic masses of the elements to decide on an order for the holders (elements that should
be in your table, but you do not have a card for).

8. Record your new classification system, complete with:

 Family names
 Similar properties within each family
 Elements in each family in order of increasing atomic mass

© 2014 The Regents of the University of California

IAPS Chemistry of Materials: Activity 15 Absent Work

Name _Logan Whitton
___________________________________ Date_______________________

Alkaline Earth
Family Names Halogens Alkali Metals Noble Gases
Metals

Very reactive,
Reactive non- silvery white Least reactive
Reactive metals,
metals that are metals. Atoms element, all
atoms form two
rarely found as form one bond nonmetals. Very
Similar Properties bonds with
pure elements in with hydrogen. low boiling point,
within each Family hydrogen. High
nature. Atoms Soft and can be cut and rarely form
melting points and
form one bond with a knife. Low bonds with other
densities.
with hydrogen. melting point and elements.
density.

Beryllium Hydrogen Lithium Helium

Magnesium Fluorine Sodium Neon

© 2014 The Regents of the University of California

Calcium Chlorine Potassium Argon

Elements in Order Bromine Krypton

IAPS Chemistry of Materials: Activity 15 Absent Work

Name _Logan Whitton
___________________________________ Date_______________________

Analysis Questions:
1. Which of the properties listed on the Element Cards are:
a. physical properties?
b. chemical properties?

Physical characteristics are nonmetal or metal, type of matter, color, and atomic mass. The Chemical
properties the reactivity and number of bonds to hydrogen.

2. How did your first classification system compare to the second classification system with the
Element Family Cards?

_They are both about the same, but it is a bit more accurate with the Halogens and Alkali Metals.
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3. In what ways could grouping elements help scientists understand their properties?

_Grouping elements help scientists understand their properties because, they can see what group the
element is in and see if they are the same.
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© 2014 The Regents of the University of California

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4. Use the table of elements you constructed to find the family or families of elements that are:
a. not usually reactive.

_______Helium,Neon,Argon,Krypton______________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________

b. highly reactive.
Chlorine, Fluorine, Lithium,
c. all metals
Sodium, Lithium, Calcium, Potassium, Beryllium. Magnesium.
d. all solids.
Sodium, Lithium, Calcium, Potassium, Beryllium, Magnesium.
e. all gases.

IAPS Chemistry of Materials: Activity 15 Absent Work

Name _Logan Whitton
___________________________________ Date_______________________

Fluorine, Hydrogen, Krypton, Chlorine, Argon, Helium, Neon,.

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5. The element strontium (Sr) is below calcium (Ca) in Column 2 on the periodic table. Design an
Element Card that shows the properties you predict for strontium.

SR
Strontium

Metal
Solid
Silvery white to dark grey
Atomic Mass: 87
Reactivity: Moderate to very high
Number of Bonds to Hydrogen: 2

© 2014 The Regents of the University of California

Element Cards

IAPS Chemistry of Materials: Activity 15 Absent Work

Name _Logan Whitton
___________________________________ Date_______________________

© 2014 The Regents of the University of California

Element Cards
IAPS Chemistry of Materials: Activity 15 Absent Work
Name _Logan Whitton
___________________________________ Date_______________________

© 2014 The Regents of the University of California

Element Family Cards

IAPS Chemistry of Materials: Activity 15 Absent Work
Name _Logan Whitton
___________________________________ Date_______________________

© 2014 The Regents of the University of California

IAPS Chemistry of Materials: Activity 15 Absent Work

Name _Logan Whitton
___________________________________ Date_______________________

Element Family Cards

© 2014 The Regents of the University of California

IAPS Chemistry of Materials: Activity 15 Absent Work