The Atom
The
atom is the fundamental building block of all stuff, or what scientists like to
call "matter". An individual atom is very small. In fact, the smallest
type of atom, hydrogen, has a diameter of 10-8 cm. This means that if the
hydrogen atom was the size of a soccer ball, then a real soccer ball would be 6450
kilometers (4008 miles) high.
The Atomic Theory of Matter states that all matter consists of extremely small particles called atoms. These atoms are called elements in chemistry, because they are elementary to molecules.
The Molecular Theory of Matter states that all matter consists of tiny particles called molecules, which are in constant motion. The Molecular Theory of Matter is also called the Kinetic Theory of Matter.
The Periodic Table of Elements
This one is the best. It has the abbreviation as well as the name of the
element, the atomic number, atomic weight, arrangement of the electrons around
the nucleus, and the state (liquid, gas, metal, etc) the element is normally
found in. You will need 8½ by 14 or larger paper for this one.
You can also use this other one here, which will fit on 8½ by 11,
but does not have all of the information the first one has. It has the atomic
number and the abbreviation of the element only.
This last one has more information than the previous one but not as much as the
first one. It will fit on 8½ by 14 and should fit on 8½ by11, by I am not
sure. It has the abbreviation as well as the name of the element, the atomic
number and atomic weight.
Taken from Michael's Periodic Table of the Elements. The table here has links which gives you information about the element.
| Potassium Sodium Calcium Magnesium Aluminium Zinc Iron Lead Copper Mercury Silver Platinum Gold |
This list was drawn up by looking at the way the different metals react with oxygen, water and acids:
The first six metals burn to form the metal oxide when they are heated in the presence of oxygen. Metals 7-9 react slowly and the bottom four metals react very slowly or not at all.
The first three metals react with cold water, the next three react with steam, iron reacts reversibly with steam and the bottom six metals do not react with water or steam.
The first three metals react violently with dilute acids, the next four react more and more slowly. Metals 8 - 11 react only with some concentrated acids and platinum and gold do not react at all with any acid.
Metallic
luster
The delocalized electrons in a metal crystal can absorb and re-emit light.
Hence, metals are shiny.
Reactions
with acids
Metals react with acids to
form salts
Melting
and boiling points
Melting and boiling-points differ considerably from metal to metal depending
on the relative strength of the metallic bonds.
Mechanical
properties
Metals can be hammered or rolled into sheets (i.e., they are malleable).
Metals can also be drawn into wires (i.e., they are ductile). The hardness and tensile strength (resistance to breaking when stretched) of a metal depend on the relative strength of its metallic bonds. These differ considerably from metal to metal. Sodium and potassium have weak metallic bonds and are so soft they can be cut with a knife. Iron and copper, on the other hand, have strong metallic bonds and are much harder.
The pH Scale - Acids and Alkalis
In the pH scale, Acids and Alkalis are arranged according to their acidity. Acids which are very strong are listed with a pH value of 1. As the acid gets weaker its pH value increases until it is no longer an acid pH6. pH 7 is the value of a neutral substance, such as water. Substances having a pH value from 8 through 13 are Alkaline. Those with a pH of 13 are the strongest Alkalis, while those with a pH of 8 are weak Alkalis.
And Acid will turn Litmus paper red, while an Alkali would turn it blue. The intensity of the color change will indicate to you how strong the acid or alkali you are testing is. Neutral substances will have no effect on litmus paper.