Question

extension: get the gizmo ready: select lithium (li) from the select a metal list. you will need a periodic table for this activity. chemical families introduction: the periodic table arranges elements by size and property. the vertical columns represent chemical families, or groups of elements with similar chemical properties. question: how are elements arranged into chemical families? 1. observe: drag the nonmetal into the trash ( ) so there is only the one lithium atom visible. a. how many valence electrons does lithium have?__ b. now look at your periodic table. find lithium (li) in the first column. other than lithium, which element from the gizmo is also in this column? c. choose this element. how many valence electrons does this element have? 2. gather data: four other pairs of elements in the same chemical family are listed below. list the number of valence electrons in each element. beryllium magnesium nitrogen phosphorus oxygen sulfur fluorine chlorine 3. analyze: what pattern do you see? 4. make a rule: based on your data, how are elements arranged into chemical families? 5. infer: look at your periodic table. how many valence electrons would you find for elements in each family? boron family: carbon family: neon family:__ 6. think and discuss: how do you think the number of valence electrons relates to an elements chemical properties?

Explanation:

Step1: Determine lithium's valence electrons

Lithium (Li) is in Group 1 of the periodic table. Elements in Group 1 have 1 valence electron. So, the answer to 1 - A is 1.

Step2: Identify other element in Group 1

Sodium (Na) is also in the first column of the periodic table. So, the answer to 1 - B is Sodium (Na).

Step3: Find sodium's valence electrons

Since sodium is in Group 1, it has 1 valence electron. So, the answer to 1 - C is 1.

Step4: List valence electrons of given elements

Beryllium (Be) and Magnesium (Mg) are in Group 2 and have 2 valence electrons. Nitrogen (N) and Phosphorus (P) are in Group 15 and have 5 valence electrons. Oxygen (O) and Sulfur (S) are in Group 16 and have 6 valence electrons. Fluorine (F) and Chlorine (Cl) are in Group 17 and have 7 valence electrons.

Step5: Analyze the pattern

Elements in the same chemical family (vertical column) have the same number of valence electrons.

Step6: Make a rule

Elements are arranged into chemical families based on having the same number of valence electrons.

Step7: Find valence electrons for given families

The Boron family (Group 13) has 3 valence electrons, the Carbon family (Group 14) has 4 valence electrons, and the Neon family (Group 18) has 8 valence electrons (except helium which has 2).

Step8: Relate valence electrons to chemical properties

The number of valence electrons determines how an element will react chemically. Elements with the same number of valence electrons have similar chemical properties as they tend to gain, lose, or share electrons in similar ways.

Answer:

1 - A. 1
1 - B. Sodium (Na)
1 - C. 1
2 - Beryllium: 2, Magnesium: 2, Nitrogen: 5, Phosphorus: 5, Oxygen: 6, Sulfur: 6, Fluorine: 7, Chlorine: 7

1. Elements in the same chemical family have the same number of valence electrons.
2. Elements are arranged into chemical families based on having the same number of valence electrons.

5 - Boron family: 3, Carbon family: 4, Neon family: 8 (except He: 2)

1. The number of valence electrons determines an element's chemical - reactivity and properties as it influences electron - sharing, gaining, or losing behavior.