S3.1 - Periodic Trends

CODAP Periodic Table  - NEXT LEVEL Data (Elements 1-112)

Please follow the instructions provided on the site. 

As a general rule, when graphing data you would say y-axis versus x-axis. For example, Ionization Energy (y-axis) vs. Atomic Radius (x-axis).

Some questions to consider:

1. Graph: Natural State v. Year of Discovery

   1. During what time periods were scientist most successful at identifying "new" elements, ones that had not yet been discovered?

   2. Describe the changes over the years in the types of elements (e.g., natural state, naturally forming) being discovered at a particular time.

2. Graph: Atomic Weight vs. Atomic Number:

   1. Why do the elements become heavier as atomic number increases?

   2. Why isn't the graph perfectly linear?

3. Graph: Atomic Radius v. Atomic Number:

   1. What patterns do you notice? 

   2. What do you think causes these patterns? 

      1. For example, why is F smaller than Li?

4. Graph: Ionization Energy vs. Atomic Radius.

   1. Ionization Energy (eV) - how easily an atom gives up a valence electron. Higher energy = more difficult to remove electron.

   2. Why are there elements that are 'separate' from the other elements?

5. Graph: Electronegativity vs. Atomic Number

   1. Determine the range of the electronegativity from the graph. 

   2. Compare the electronegativity v. atomic number graph, to the atomic radius graph (maybe on a partner's computer). What trends are similar v. different. 

6. Display the Alkali Metals labels. 

   1. What properties peak in these elements? 

   2. What properties are minimized in these elements?

7. How does the arrangement of elements in the periodic table enable the user to identify an unknown element?