Periodic Table Explained: Introduction

Summary

The video script explores the concept of elements, defined as substances composed of a single type of atom, with 92 naturally occurring ones and additional man-made ones. It introduces the periodic table, a systematic arrangement of elements by atomic number and properties, highlighting groups that share similar characteristics. The script also explains how elements can be identified by their atomic number and symbol, and discusses the distinction between metals and nonmetals, with metals typically to the left of a diagonal band on the table and nonmetals to the right. Hydrogen is noted as a unique case, not fitting neatly into any group. The periodic table is likened to an alphabet, essential for understanding the composition of all matter in the universe.

Takeaways

• 🌌 All matter is composed of tiny particles called atoms.
• 🔍 There are 92 naturally occurring types of atoms, known as elements.
• 📚 A pure substance made of only one type of atom is called an element.
• 📈 The periodic table lists all the elements in order of increasing atomic number.
• 📝 Elements are represented by one or two-letter symbols, like 'H' for hydrogen.
• 🔢 Hydrogen has the atomic number 1 and is the lightest element.
• 📏 The periodic table has seven horizontal rows, with additional rows for the lanthanides and actinides.
• 👨‍🔬 Scientists have created artificial elements, extending the list beyond 92.
• 👪 Elements in the same vertical group have similar properties.
• 🛡 Metals are typically found on the left side of the periodic table and have properties like conductivity and malleability.
• ⚗️ Nonmetals are on the right side and often do not conduct electricity or heat.
• 💎 Elements within the diagonal band have properties intermediate between metals and nonmetals, known as semiconductors or metalloids.
• 🌐 Hydrogen is unique and does not fit neatly into any group; it is considered a group by itself.

Q & A

What are the fundamental building blocks of all things in the world?

The fundamental building blocks of all things in the world are incredibly tiny particles called atoms.

How many different kinds of atoms are there?

There are 92 different kinds of atoms, which are the basis for the elements found in nature.

What is an element and how is it related to atoms?

An element is a pure substance made of only one kind of atom. For example, a nugget of pure gold contains only gold atoms.

What is the purpose of the periodic table?

The periodic table is a list that shows all the elements, arranged according to the atomic number and chemical properties, making it easier to understand and remember the different elements.

What is the atomic number and how is it related to the periodic table?

The atomic number is a number that indicates an element's position in the periodic table, representing the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom of that element.

How many horizontal rows does the periodic table have?

The periodic table has seven horizontal rows, known as periods.

What are the special rows at the bottom of the periodic table called, and what do they represent?

The special rows at the bottom of the periodic table are called the lanthanides and actinides, which are elements that fit into the sixth and seventh periods, respectively.

What is the significance of the vertical columns in the periodic table?

The vertical columns in the periodic table, also known as groups, contain elements that have similar chemical properties, making them akin to families.

How can you determine if an element is a metal or a nonmetal using the periodic table?

Elements to the left of the diagonal gray band in the periodic table are metals, while those to the right are nonmetals. Elements within the band are often semiconductors or metalloids, having properties of both.

What is unique about the element hydrogen in terms of its placement on the periodic table?

Hydrogen is unique because it is placed to the left of the diagonal band but is not considered a metal. It does not belong to any group and is considered to be a group by itself.

Why are there more elements listed on the periodic table than the original 92?

In addition to the original 92 elements, scientists have created artificial elements in laboratories, extending the list of known elements beyond uranium to a total of 118.

Outlines

00:00

🌟 Elements and the Periodic Table

This paragraph introduces the concept of elements, which are substances made up of only one kind of atom, exemplified by a pure gold nugget containing only gold atoms. It explains that there are 92 natural elements, each represented on the periodic table, which is organized by atomic number and symbol. The periodic table's structure is explored, including its seven horizontal rows and additional rows for the lanthanides and actinides, bringing the total element count to 118. The paragraph also discusses the periodic table's arrangement into groups and families, and how elements can be identified by their atomic numbers and symbols.

05:03

🔬 Understanding the Periodic Table's Structure and Element Properties

This paragraph delves deeper into the periodic table's organization, discussing the vertical columns known as groups, which contain elements with similar properties. It explains how the table is used to identify elements by atomic number and to determine their position within rows and groups. The paragraph highlights the differences between metals and nonmetals, using the gray diagonal band as a visual aid to distinguish between them. Metals are described as typically shiny, solid, and good conductors of electricity and heat, while nonmetals are often liquids or gases and poor conductors. The paragraph also touches on the unique properties of hydrogen, which is considered a special case due to its position and properties distinct from other elements.

10:07

🌌 The Significance of the Periodic Table and Element Classification

The final paragraph discusses the broader implications of the periodic table, likening it to an 'alphabet of the universe' that categorizes the building blocks of all substances. It emphasizes the table's ability to predict the properties of elements based on their position relative to the diagonal band dividing metals from nonmetals. The paragraph also introduces the concept of semiconductors, elements like silicon that have properties intermediate between metals and nonmetals. It concludes by highlighting the abundance of metals in the universe and the unique status of hydrogen, which, despite its position in the table, does not fit neatly into any group due to its distinct characteristics.

Keywords

💡Atoms

Atoms are the basic units of matter and the defining structure of elements. They consist of protons, neutrons, and electrons. In the script, atoms are mentioned as the building blocks of all things in the world, emphasizing their fundamental role in the composition of elements and the periodic table.

💡Elements

An element is a pure substance that is made up entirely of one type of atom. The script explains that there are 92 natural elements, each with unique properties, and the concept is central to understanding the periodic table and the composition of matter.

💡Periodic Table

The periodic table is a tabular arrangement of the chemical elements, ordered by their atomic number, electron configuration, and recurring chemical properties. It is a fundamental tool in chemistry and the script uses it to illustrate the organization of elements and their properties.

💡Atomic Number

The atomic number of an element is a unique identifier that represents the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom of that element. The script mentions atomic numbers to distinguish elements and their positions on the periodic table.

💡Symbols

Element symbols are one or two-letter abbreviations that represent chemical elements. The script uses symbols like 'H' for hydrogen to demonstrate shorthand notation for elements on the periodic table.

💡Groups

Groups in the periodic table are vertical columns that categorize elements with similar chemical properties. The script explains that elements in the same group share similar characteristics, forming 'families' of elements.

💡Metals

Metals are a category of elements that are typically shiny, malleable, and good conductors of heat and electricity. The script uses metals as an example of elements found on the left side of the periodic table's diagonal band and highlights their properties.

💡Nonmetals

Nonmetals are elements that lack the characteristics of metals, often being brittle and poor conductors of heat and electricity. The script contrasts nonmetals with metals, showing their properties and placement on the right side of the periodic table's diagonal band.

💡Semiconductors

Semiconductors are materials that have properties intermediate between those of metals and nonmetals, allowing them to conduct electricity under certain conditions. The script introduces silicon as an example of a semiconductor, illustrating its unique position within the periodic table.

💡Lanthanides and Actinides

Lanthanides and actinides are series of elements that are often depicted in separate rows below the main body of the periodic table due to their similar properties. The script explains their placement and their significance in completing the periodic table.

💡Hydrogen

Hydrogen is a unique element with the atomic number 1 and is placed at the top left of the periodic table. The script discusses hydrogen's special status, as it does not fit neatly into any group and is considered a group by itself.

Highlights

All things in the world are made of incredibly tiny particles called atoms.

There are 92 different kinds of atoms, each kind forming an element.

A pure gold nugget contains only gold atoms, making it an element.

The periodic table lists all 92 elements, starting with hydrogen and ending with uranium.

Elements are represented by symbols, such as 'H' for hydrogen.

The periodic table has seven horizontal rows, each with a specific number of elements.

Lanthanides and actinides are additional rows that complete the periodic table.

The full periodic table includes 118 elements, with some being artificially created.

Elements are arranged in vertical columns called groups, which contain similar elements.

Group 1 elements, except hydrogen, are soft metals that explode when put into water.

The periodic table can be used to identify elements by their atomic number and symbol.

Metals are typically shiny, solid, and conductive, and are found to the left of the diagonal band.

Nonmetals are usually liquids or gases, brittle, and poor conductors of electricity.

Elements within the diagonal band have properties of both metals and nonmetals, known as semiconductors.

Nearly three-quarters of the elements on the periodic table are metals.

Hydrogen is unique and does not fit into any group, being a group by itself.

The periodic table organizes the elements into a pattern, making it the alphabet of the universe.

Transcripts

in the first video we saw that all the

things in the world are made of

incredibly tiny particles called atoms

and also that there are 92 different

kinds of them most things have more than

one kind of atom in them but this nugget

of pure gold contains only gold atoms

so we call it an element an element is a

substance made of only one kind of atom

zooming back out we see that the gold

atoms become a lump of gold again

if we zoomed out from silver atoms we'd

see a lump of silver instead

because there are 92 kinds of atoms

there must be 92 elements - one for each

kind you probably have already heard of

some of them like carbon iron and

aluminium or aluminum if you're American

but maybe not astatine or you terbium

with so many elements there's a lot of

names to remember

fortunately there's a list showing all

the elements it starts with the element

with the lightest atoms hydrogen and

goes to the element with the heaviest

items uranium this list is called the

periodic table

how about grabbing your own copy now and

check it as you watch the video

the lightest element hydrogen is at the

top left-hand side of the table each

element can be written with a shorthand

using one or two letters called its

symbol which is capital H for hydrogen

not surprisingly each element also has

its own number showing its place in this

list called it's atomic number hydrogen

is the lightest element so it's atomic

number is 1

zooming into helium at the top right we

can see that it's symbol is h-e-b gage

fiddly to make it a bit different two

hydrogen's and it's atomic number is two

being the second lightest element

the third lightest element is lithium so

it has an atomic number of three

where's lithium

it starts the next row

this row goes up to atomic number ten

before another row is started

how many rows are they

one two three four five six seven the

periodic table has seven horizontal rows

what about these rows down below called

the lanthanides and actinides well they

really belong to row six and seven and

should slot into these spaces

the lanthanides are elements 5771 and

the actinides are elements 89 to 103 -

slot them in we have to make the

periodic table wider

this full table is more accurate and

some versions are printed this way

this layout also makes it easier to see

how many elements are in each row 2 in

the first row 8 in the second eight in

the third 18 in the fourth 18 also in

the fifth 32 and the sixth 32 and the

seventh

altogether there are 118 elements

hc'

how come on the meant-to-be airline 92

elements with uranium being the last one

yes but clever scientists have made

artificial elements in the lab like

neptunium and plutonium the elements

next door that were made in 1940 these

new elements make the overall list of

elements a bit longer let's collapse the

periodic table back to its usual shape

which is more convenient for fitting

onto the screen

you can see that the periodic table is

also arranged in vertical columns which

scientists call groups how many groups

are there

one two three four five six seven eight

nine ten

eighteen

eighteen vertical groups the key point

about groups is that they contain

elements that are similar to each other

like members of a family for example all

of group 1 elements except hydrogen are

soft malleable metals that explode when

you put them into water some groups even

have family names group 1 elements are

called the alkali metals group 2

elements are the alkaline earth metals

group 17 are the halogens and group 18

other noble gases

now you're ready to read the periodic

table what is the name of the element

with atomic number 30

you just have to scan around and find 30

Zink

what is the atomic number of calcium now

you've got to find calcium on the table

20 which row is sulfur in the third row

choose any element in the fifth row

there are a lot of possible answers for

this could be strontium tin iodine you

choose which group is chlorine in

group 17 choose an element in group 15

could be nitrogen or arsenic or any of

the others your choice

but what if you were asked which element

is in row five and group two there can

only be one answer

strontium each element has its own

unique combination of row and group

can you see the gray diagonal band that

splits the periodic table into two parts

this divides the elements into metals on

the left and nonmetals on the right

what is a metal here's a few titanium

iron chromium aluminum silver and gold

with the atomic numbers above the

symbols

have you noticed that these metals are

shiny and solid they all are well except

for liquid mercury

metals also conduct electricity and heat

here the different metals are connected

to an electrical circuit if the bulb

lights up it means that the thing is an

electrical conductor they all are

medals are also malleable which means

that if you built them with a hammer

they'll flatten into a thinner shape

here you can see that aluminium has

three metallic properties it's already

been flattened into a thin sheet it's

shiny and it conducts electricity

we looked at aluminium titanium chromium

iron silver and gold all to the left of

the diagonal and saw that they all have

metallic properties what about nonmetals

to the right hand side of the diagonal

they're the opposite most nonmetal

elements are liquids or gases but there

are a few solids and these can be more

easily tested here sulfur and selenium

are showing that they don't conduct

electricity can you see that the bulb

doesn't light up and if you hit this

carbon with a hammer it smashes into

bits this is called being brittle it's

the opposite of being malleable

let's use the periodic table to predict

whether an element would be a metal or a

nonmetal

how about osmium atomic number 76 osmium

is to the left of the diagonal gray band

so it should be a metal

how about iodine

that's to the right of the diagonal line

so it's a nonmetal

let's try something tricky Oh do you

reckon yttrium atomic number 39 would be

shiny it's to the left of the diagonal

line so it's a metal so it's probably

shiny

would phosphorous atomic number 15

conduct electricity hmm it's to the

right of the diagonal so it's a nonmetal

probably not what about the elements

inside the diagonal band let's take a

look at silicon it looks shiny like a

metal but if you whack it with a hammer

it breaks into bits so it's brittle like

a nonmetal and the dull glow of the bulb

tells us that it conducts electricity

more than a nonmetal but not as much as

a metal and this gives it the name of

semiconductor

these elements are also called semi

metals because they have properties that

are in between metals and nonmetals

are they more metal or nonmetal elements

metals nearly three-quarters of the

elements on the periodic table are

metals

but that doesn't mean they're more

abundant because in the Earth's crust

there are more oxygen and silicon atoms

than the rest combined

and the universe as a whole is mostly

hydrogen in fact hydrogen is special in

lots of ways it's to the left of the

diagonal but it's not a metal well it

can't be it's a gas it looks like it's

in Group one as a member of the alkali

metals but it can't be because it's not

a metal the truth is hydrogen doesn't

belong to any group and it's considered

to be a group all by itself

some periodic tables even put it on its

own to show this just remember hydrogen

is special

the periodic table squeezes a lot of

information into a small space the

English writer CP snow said that the

periodic table took all the jumbled

facts about the elements and fitted them

into a pattern and it was like turning a

jungle into a garden my view is that the

periodic table is the alphabet of the

universe

whereas our ordinary alphabet is a list

of letters that can make all the words

in our language the periodic table is a

list of elements that can make all the

substances in the universe