Chapter 3

Elements, Atoms,
Periodic Table
CHE 101/200 – INTRODUCTION TO CHEMISTRY
 Elements and Symbols
▪Pure substances from which all other things are
built.
▪Cannot be broken down into simpler substances.
▪All elements have properties, which include, but
are not limited to, conductivity, magnetism,
melting point, boiling point, color, state of
matter, and others.
▪Elements with similar properties are grouped
together in different areas of the periodic table
of elements.

2
Elemental composition of earth

3
Elemental Composition of Body

4
Chemical Symbols
➢Chemical symbols
▪Represent the names of the elements.
▪Consist of one to two letters and start with a capital letter.

One-Letter Symbols Two-Letter Symbols

C Carbon Co Cobalt
N Nitrogen Ca Calcium
F Fluorine Al Aluminum
O Oxygen Mg Magnesium

5
Elements represented by symbol not
related to their name
▪Some elements were known in ancient times and therefore carry over their Latin names.
▪There are eleven elements represented in the periodic table by letters not in line with their names:
◦ Sodium (Na – Natrium)
◦ Potassium (K – Kalium)
◦ Iron (Fe – Ferrum)
◦ Copper (Cu – Cuprum)
◦ Silver (Ag – Argentum)
◦ Tin (Sn – Stannum)
◦ Antimony (Sb – Stibium)
◦ Tungsten (W – Wolfram)
◦ Gold (Au – Aurum)
◦ Mercury (Hg – Hydrargyrum)
◦ Lead (Pb – Plumbum)

6
Names and Symbols of Common
Elements

7
Study Check
Write the correct chemical symbols for each of the following elements:
A. iodine
B. iron
C. magnesium
D. zinc
E. nitrogen
Give the names of the elements with the following symbols:
A. P
B. Al
C. Mn
D. H
E. K

8
Atom
➢An atom is the smallest particle of an element that retains the characteristics of that element.
Aluminum foil contains atoms of aluminum.

9
Discovery of the atom: Dalton’s Atomic
Theory
➢In Dalton’s atomic theory:
▪ Atoms are tiny particles of matter.
▪Atoms of an element are similar to each other and different from those of other elements.
▪Atoms of two or more different elements combine to form compounds.
➢Atoms are neither created nor destroyed during a chemical change, but are instead rearranged
in a chemical reaction to yield substances that are different from those present before the
change.
Atomic Theory after the Nineteenth
Century
➢If matter were composed of atoms,
what were atoms composed of?
➢Were they the smallest particles, or was
there something smaller?
History: Discovery of the Atom
➢In 1897, J.J. Thomson discovered the electron by experimenting with a cathode ray tube. He
demonstrated that cathode rays were negatively charged.
➢He concluded that the atom can be divided into smaller particles.
➢his cathode ray particles were given a more familiar name: electrons

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xKZRpAsWL8
Thomson’s Model
➢In order to account for the existence of the electrons, an entirely new atomic model was
needed → The plum pudding model
➢Thomson knew that atoms had an overall neutral charge. Therefore, he reasoned that there
must be a source of positive charge within the atom to counterbalance the negative charge on
the electrons.
➢Atoms could be described as negative particles floating within a soup of diffuse positive charge

13
Milikan’s Experiment
➢An experiment performed by Robert Millikan in 1909 determined the size of the charge on an
electron.
➢Millikan's experiment is important because it established the charge on an electron.
➢Allowed him to calculate magnitude of charge of an electron 1.6 × 10-19 Coulombs (unit of
charge)
➢The mass of the electron was able to be determined through this experiment which is 9.1094 x
10^-31 Kg

14
Millikan’s Experiment
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFiPWv03f6g
Millikan’s Experiment
In this experiment an atomizer produces oil droplets in the form of mist which are sent through
a plate of electrical condenser. The rate at which these drops fall were measured by observing
them through telescopic eye piece.
Millikan’s Experiment
Charged oil droplets fall down by gravity, but adjusting the electric potential between plates, the
oil droplets can be stopped.
X-rays produces charges on the oil drops.

X-rays
Millikan’s Experiment
From the mass of the drop and the charge on the plates, he calculated the charge on the oil
droplets (multiple of the electron charge):
qe = -1.609 x 10-19 C.
Using ratio of (e/m) from Thomson Experiment, he calculated 9.11 x 10-31 Kg.
Rutherford’s Experiment- The Nuclear
model of an atom
➢Rutherford overturned Thomson’s model in 1911 with his famous gold-foil experiment, in
which he demonstrated that the atom has a tiny, massive nucleus.
➢He beamed alpha particles through gold foil and detected them as flashes of light on a screen.

19
 Rutherford’s Experiment
The Results he obtained!
An Atom is mostly empty
Small dense, positive piece at
center.
Alpha particles are deflected by
a positive core, if they get close
enough.

https://www.youtube.co
m/watch?v=XBqHkraf8iE
21
Modern Atomic Theory
➢All elements are composed of atoms.
➢An atom is the smallest part of an element that maintains the identity of that element.
➢Most elements in their pure form exist as individual atoms. For example, a macroscopic chunk
of iron metal is composed, microscopically, of individual iron atoms.
➢Some elements exist as groups of atoms which are molecules. For example water
➢Several important elements exist as two-atom combinations and are called diatomic molecules
such as hydrogen (H2), oxygen (O2), nitrogen (N2), fluorine (F2), chlorine (Cl2), bromine (Br2),
and iodine (I2).
➢The Subatomic Particles of an element are protons, neutrons and electrons.

22
Mass of Subatomic Particles
Mass of proton = 1836 x mass of electron
Mass of neutron = 1839 x mass of electron
Modern Atomic Theory

The protons and neutrons of an atom are

found clustered at the center of the atom
in a structure called the nucleus.
The electrons orbit the nucleus of the atom
within an electron cloud, or the empty
space that surrounds the atom’s nucleus.
Note that most of the area of an atom is
taken up by the empty space of the
electron cloud.

24
Study Check
Which of the following subatomic particles fits each of the descriptions below?
protons, neutrons, or electrons

A. found outside the nucleus

B. have a positive charge
C. have mass but no charge

25
 Protons Determine the Identity of an
Element
➢The number of protons that an atom holds in its
nucleus is the key determining feature for its chemical
properties.
➢An element is defined by the number of protons
found in its nucleus. The proton number within an
element is also called its Atomic Number and is
represented by the mathematical term, Z.
➢Because the mass of subatomic particles is so small,
chemists use a very small unit of mass called the
atomic mass unit (amu) or A
➢The periodic table is organized by the number of
protons that an element contains. Thus, as you read
across each row of the Periodic Table (left to right),
each element increases by one proton (or one Atomic
Number, Z).

26
Atomic Number
➢Atomic number (Z) = number of protons in an atom’s nucleus and number of electrons around
an atom’s nucleus.
▪the atomic number of H is 1; every H atom has one proton and one electron.
▪the atomic number of Cu is 29; every Cu atom has 29 protons and 29 electrons.

27
Atoms are Neutral
➢The overall charge on the atom is zero, because the magnitude of the negative charge is the
same as the magnitude of the positive charge (1:1 ratio)

➢Aluminum has 13 protons and 13 electrons. The net (overall) charge is zero.

13 protons (13+) + 13 electrons (13–) = 0

28
Mass Number (A)
➢The mass number
▪Represents the number of particles in the nucleus.
▪Is equal to the number of protons + the number of neutrons.
▪Is always a whole number.

29
Composition of Some Atoms of Different
Elements

30
Study Tips
➢ Atomic number (Z) = Number of protons = Number of electrons

➢ Mass number (A) = Number of protons (Z) + Number of neutrons (N)

➢N=A-Z

➢Note: Mass numbers are given for specific isotopes only

31
Subatomic Particles
A 23
Z X 11 Na
➢Z : atomic number = number of protons (determines type of atom).
➢A : mass number = number of protons + neutrons.
➢Number of protons = number of electrons if neutral.
Allotropes and Atomic Mass
➢Allotropes are different structural modifications of an element: the atoms of the element are
bonded together in a different manner.
➢allotropic changes affect how the atoms of the element interact with one another to form a 3-
dimensional structure. They DO NOT alter the atomic mass (A) of the element.

33
The Periodic Table

34
The Periodic Table
➢The periodic table organizes 118 elements into groups with similar properties and places them
in order of increasing atomic number.
➢Each row of elements on the periodic table is called a period
➢Group numbers are written at the top of each vertical column. Elements are placed into
families due to their similar properties, characteristics, and reactivities
➢Use the letter A for representative elements (Groups 1A–8A).
➢Use the letter B for transition elements (Groups 3B–12B).
An alternative system uses numbers of 1–18 for all of the groups, from left to right, across the
periodic table.
➢Because both systems are currently in use, they are both shown on the periodic table in this
text and are included in our discussions of elements and group numbers.

35
Groups and Periods

36
 Study Check
Identify the element described by each of the following groups and
periods:

1. Group 7A (17), Period 4

A. Br B. Cl C. Mn

2. Group 2A (2), Period 3

A. beryllium B. boron C. magnesium

3. Group 5A (15), Period 2

A. phosphorus B. arsenic C. nitrogen

37
The Periodic Table
➢Every element can be classified as either a metal, a nonmetal, or a semimetal
➢The first two columns on the left and the last six columns on the right are called the main group
elements.
➢The ten-column block between these columns contains the transition metals.

38
Group Names

39
The Periodic Table
➢ All of the elements in group 1 (except for hydrogen) are alkali metals which are among the
most reactive metals. They have a soft texture, are silvery in color and can be easily cut. They
also have low boiling and melting points and are less dense than most elements. They get their
name from ancient Arabic (al qali) because “scientists” of the time found that the ashes of the
vegetation they were burning contained a large amount of sodium and potassium.
➢Group 2 is called the alkaline earth metals; They are soft, silver metals that are less metallic in
character. They get their name because early “scientists” found that all of the alkaline earth
metals were found in the earth’s crust.
➢The transition metals are the larger block of elements extending from Groups 3-12. They tend
to be hard and have high densities. They have high melting points and boiling points and can
show various oxidation states when forming chemical bonds. They often form colored
compounds that are highly stable and they can serve as good catalysts.

40
The Periodic Table
➢Group 17 elements are also called halogens. This group contains very reactive nonmetals. It is
the only group in the Periodic Table that contains all of the states of matter at room
temperature. Fluorine (F2) and chlorine (Cl2) are gases, while bromine (Br2) is a liquid and iodine
(I2) and astatine (At2) are both solids. The word halogen comes from the Greek meaning salt
forming. French chemists discovered that the majority of halogen ions will form salts when
combined with metals.
➢The noble gases are in group 18. The two most significant properties of noble gases is that they
are extremely unreactive, rarely forming compounds, and that they all exist as gases at room
temperature. the name “noble gas” replaced “inert gas” for the name of Group 18 when a
compound was formed between xenon and fluorine.

41
The Periodic Table
➢The arrangement of the columns or families in the Periodic Table reflects how subshells are
filled with electrons.
➢Elements in the same column share the same valence shell electron configuration.

42
Metals, Nonmetals, and Metalloids
➢The heavy zigzag line separates metals and nonmetals.
➢Metals are located to the left.
➢Nonmetals are located to the right.
➢Metalloids are located along the heavy zigzag line.

43
Characteristics of Metals, Nonmetals,
and Metalloids
➢Metals, except for hydrogen, located on the left of the periodic table,
▪ Are shiny and ductile, and conduct heat and electricity.
▪ Are solids, except for mercury (Hg), which is a liquid.

➢Nonmetals, located on the right side of the periodic table,

▪ Are dull, brittle, and poor conductors but often good insulators.
▪ Have low densities and melting points.

44
Characteristics of Metals, Nonmetals,
and Metalloids
➢Metalloids, located along the heavy zigzag line on the periodic table,
▪ Exhibit properties of metals and nonmetals.
▪ Are better conductors than nonmetals but not as good as metals.
▪ Are used as semiconductors and insulators, because they can be modified to function as conductors or
insulators.

45
Comparing a Metal, a Nonmetal, and a
Metalloid

46
Study Check
Identify each of the following elements as a metal, a nonmetal, or a metalloid:
A. Sodium
B. Chlorine
C. Silicon
D. Iron
E. Carbon

47
Study Check
An atom of lead (Pb) has a mass number of 207.
A. How many protons are in the nucleus?
B. How many neutrons are in the nucleus?
C. How many electrons are in the atom?

48
Study Check
Use the periodic table to fill in the atomic number, number of protons, and number of electrons
for each of the following elements:

49
Complete the Table Below
Isotopes and Atomic Mass
➢Isotopes are atoms of an element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of
neutrons. Most elements in nature exist in isotopic forms
e.g. 12C (98.89%), 13C (1.11%), 14C (trace)
Isotopes and Atomic Mass
➢Atomic mass is the calculated average mass for the isotopes of an element, expressed on a
scale where 12C serves as the reference point. The mass of a 12C atom is defined to be exactly 12
atomic mass units (amu).

➢The atomic mass of an element depends on the masses and abundances of the isotopes of an
element.
E.g. Carbon: 12C (98.89%), 13C (1.11%), 14C (trace) so carbon has an atomic mass
of 12.011 amu
Isotopes of Magnesium
Magnesium, with three naturally occurring isotopes, has an atomic mass of 24.31 amu.

54
Calculating the Atomic Mass
➢Atomic mass is the:
▪Weighted average of all naturally occurring isotopes of that element.
▪Number on the periodic table below the chemical symbol.
➢Chlorine, with two naturally occurring isotopes, has an atomic mass of 35.45 amu.
➢To calculate atomic mass
▪ Use the experimental percent abundance of each isotope of the element.
▪ Multiply the percent abundance by the atomic mass of that isotope.
▪ Sum the total mass of all isotopes.

55
Calculating the Atomic Mass
To calculate atomic mass of Magnesium, use experimental data for both isotopes.

Atomic mass of Mg = 18.88 amu + 2.531 amu + 2.902 amu

= 24.31 amu (weighted average mass)

56
Atomic Mass of some Elements

57
 Exercises
1. In an experiment it was found that the total charge on an oil drop was 5.93x 10-18C. How many negative
charges does the drop contain?
5.93x10-18/ 1.6x10-19= 37 negative charges

1. An atom has an atomic number of 9 and a mass number of 19.

a. Determine the number of protons present.
b. Determine the number of neutrons present.
c. Determine the number of electrons present.

Protons= 9
Neutrons= 19-9=10
Electrons= 9
Exercises
3. Naturally occurring copper exists in two isotopic forms 63Cu and 65Cu. The relative mass of 63Cu is
62.93 amu, and its abundance is 69.09%. The relative mass of 65Cu is 64.93 amu, and its
abundance is 30.91%.
What is the average atomic mass of the copper.
(62.93x0.6909 + 64.93x0.3091)= 63.55 amu
3. Gallium is an element found in lasers used in compact disc players. In a sample of gallium, there is
60.10% of 69Ga (atomic mass 68.926 amu)
39.90% of 71Ga (atomic mass 70.925 amu)
What is the average atomic mass of gallium?
(68.926x0.6010) + (70.925x0.3990)= 69.72 amu
Study Check
The atomic mass of lithium-6 is 6.0151 amu and the atomic mass of lithium-7
is 7.0160 amu. What is the natural abundance of lithium-6 given that the weighted
average atomic mass of Li is 6.941
The atomic mass of lithium-6 = 6.0151 amu
The atomic mass of lithium-7 = 7.0160 amu
The average atomic mass of lithium = 6.941 amu
Let the percentage abundance of Li-6 = x
Let the percentage abundance of Li-7 = 100-x
Now, the percent abundance can be calculated as:
x6.0151+ (100-x)7.0160/100 = 6.941, x=7.5
Hence, natural abundance of Li-6 is 7.50%

60