Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table

Resources on these topics pages are here to assist you in your mastery of course content. None of the work, etc, on these pages are 'required,' so to speak. It is provided for you to use as fits into your overall approach to studying for this course. 

• General and detailed objectives give you an idea of how you will be assessed over each objective and can serve as a 'study guide' of sorts

• Slides are the raw material from which I build my in-class lectures. Annotated slides will be provided after lectures on the course schedule.

• When available, Reading Guides are provided to assist you in taking and organizing notes as you read the textbook. 

• Any supplemental videos provided are produced by myself other chemistry education professionals.

• Any additional practice provided contains answer keys, so that you may check your work.

Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table Objectives

1. Discuss the history of the study of atomic structure 

2. Describe atomic structure in terms of atomic number and mass number 

3. Know the terminology of the periodic table 

Objective 1: Discuss the history of the study of atomic structure 

• • Read Section 2.1  - Early Ideas in Atomic Theory

  • Read Section 2.2 - Evolution of Atomic Theory

Upon successful completion of this objective you should be able to;

• • State the postulates of Dalton’s atomic theory

  • Use postulates of Dalton’s atomic theory to explain the laws of definite and multiple proportions

  • Outline milestones in the development of modern atomic theory

  • Summarize and interpret the results of the experiments of Thomson, Millikan, and Rutherford

  • Describe the three subatomic particles that compose atoms

  • Define isotopes and give examples for several elements

Objective 2: Describe atomic structure and define atomic number and mass number. 

Tasks:

• • Read Section 2.3 - Atomic Structure and Symbolism

Upon successful completion of this objective you should be able to;

• • Write and interpret symbols that depict the atomic number, mass number, and charge of an atom or ion

  • Define the atomic mass unit and average atomic mass

  • Calculate average atomic mass and isotopic abundance

Objective 3: Know the terminology of the periodic table 

• • Read Section 3.6 - The Periodic Table

  • Watch Periodic table song, and watch how the elements are organized!

    • Bonus nerd points if you memorize it!

Upon successful completion of this objective you should be able to;

• • State the periodic law and explain the organization of elements in the periodic table

  • Predict the general properties of elements based on their location within the periodic table

  • Identify metals, nonmetals, and metalloids by their properties and/or location on the periodic table