When scientists began to examine the properties of the elements, they noticed that they could find repeating patterns if the elements were arranged in the order of increasing atomic number. By starting a new row after every noble gas, they built up the Periodic Table. Elements with similar properties appear in the same column of the Table.
1 What is the difference between an element, a compound and a mixture? Give an example of each of these.
2 The columns in the main block of the periodic table (coloured blue) are called groups. a) What is the connection between the arrangement of electrons in the outer shell and the position of elements in the periodic table? b) What relationship would you expect between elements in the same group?
3 a) What is a noble gas? b) What is special about the arrangement of electrons in the atom of a noble gas?
4 The article reports the naming of the final element. a) What is the new name of element 106? What was it called previously? b) After whom was it named? c) Name one other element which this scientist discovered, and explain why it was an important discovery. d) How many elements make up the visible universe? e) Which is the lightest element? f) Why is the word 'element'a suitable name?
