Question

periodic table scavenger hunt
search your periodic table for the answers to these questions

1. which element is number 14 on the periodic table?
2. what is the element symbol for californium?
3. how many protons are in an atom of bismuth?
4. to which element group does argon belong?
5. which element would you expect to have a higher mass: cadmium or zinc?
6. what is the atomic mass of carbon?
7. what do you call the element series from atomic number 57 - 71?
8. which element has a symbol that starts with a letter different from the first one in its name: aluminum, copper, gold, rhenium?
9. which element has the lowest atomic mass?
10. what is the first element with an atomic mass greater than 100?
11. what is the first basic metal on the periodic table?
12. true or false: tin and antimony are in the same element group.
13. what is the heaviest alkali metal?
14. how many protons are in an atom of magnesium?
15. which of the following is not a nonmetal: sulfur, oxygen, silicon, nitrogen?
16. what is the name of the element with the symbol w?
17. which element has an atomic mass of 106.42?
18. astatine belongs to which element group: nonmetal, halogen, noble gas?
19. what is the element with the symbol ba?
20. name a letter never used in any element symbol?

Explanation:

Step1: Refer to periodic table

Element number 14 is Silicon.

Step2: Refer to periodic table

The symbol for Californium is Cf.

Step3: Atomic number = number of protons

Bismuth has an atomic number of 83, so it has 83 protons.

Step4: Refer to periodic table groups

Argon belongs to Group 18 (Noble - Gases).

Step5: Compare atomic masses

Cadmium has a higher atomic mass than Zinc.

Step6: Refer to periodic table

The atomic mass of carbon is approximately 12.01.

Step7: Know element series

The element series from atomic number 57 - 71 is the Lanthanide series.

Step8: Check element symbols

The symbol for Gold is Au, which starts with a different letter from its name.

Step9: Refer to periodic table

Hydrogen has the lowest atomic mass.

Step10: Refer to periodic table

Technetium is the first element with an atomic mass greater than 100.

Step11: Refer to periodic table

Lithium is the first basic metal on the periodic table.

Step12: Check element groups

Tin (Sn) is in Group 14 and Antimony (Sb) is in Group 15, so the statement is False.

Step13: Refer to alkali - metals

Francium is the heaviest alkali metal.

Step14: Atomic number = number of protons

Magnesium has an atomic number of 12, so it has 12 protons.

Step15: Classify elements

Silicon is a metalloid, not a non - metal. Sulfur, oxygen, and nitrogen are non - metals.

Step16: Refer to element symbols

The element with symbol W is Tungsten.

Step17: Refer to periodic table

The element with an atomic mass of approximately 106.42 is Palladium.

Step18: Classify astatine

Astatine belongs to the halogen group.

Step19: Refer to element symbols

The element with symbol Ba is Barium.

Step20: Consider element symbols

The letter J is never used in any element symbol.

Answer:

1. Silicon
2. Cf
3. 83
4. Group 18 (Noble - Gases)
5. Cadmium
6. Approximately 12.01
7. Lanthanide series
8. Gold
9. Hydrogen
10. Technetium
11. Lithium
12. False
13. Francium
14. 12
15. Silicon
16. Tungsten
17. Palladium
18. Halogen
19. Barium
20. J