PSFT0B1 (CHEMISTRY)

Practice Problem (Secs 2.2, 2.3)

1. Name five physical properties that we usually observe for metals.

2. Why is mercury used in thermometers? Why is tungsten used in light bulbs?
3. Which nonmetals occur as monatomic gases (i.e., gases whose particles consist of
single atoms)?
4. Which two elements exist as liquids at room temperature and pressure?
5. Which physical property of metalloids distinguishes them from metals and
nonmetals?
6. Sketch the shape of the periodic table and mark off those areas where we find (a)
metals, (b) nonmetals, and (c) metalloids.
7. Most periodic tables have a heavy line that looks like a staircase starting from
boron down to polonium. What information does this line convey?
8. Which metals can you think of that are commonly used to make jewelry? Why isn't
iron used to make jewelry? Why isn't potassium used?
9. What trends—regular changes in physical or chemical properties—in the
periodic table have been mentioned in this chapter?
10. Find a periodic table on the internet that lists physical properties of the
elements. Can you distinguish trends in the periodic table based on (a) melting
point, (b) boiling point, or (c) density?
11. What are two ways to interpret a chemical symbol?

12. What is the difference between an atom and a molecule?

13. Write the formulas and names of the elements that exist in nature as diatomic
molecules.