Rocks and Minerals by UTH Rocks and Minerals by UTH    

Lesson 2: The Periodic Table of Elements

Directions

Study the lesson for one week.

Over the week:

• Read the lesson.
• Review the synopsis.
• Recite aloud the vocabulary words and their definitions.
• Study the rock and mineral of the week.
• Complete the enrichment activities.
• Study the review questions.

Synopsis

The periodic table is a tabular chart of the chemical elements arranged such that elements with similar properties are in the same vertical column or group. For example, Group 18 is called the Noble Gases, consisting of colorless, odorless, tasteless gases such as helium, neon, and argon. The gases of Group 18 are quite different from the solid metals of Group 11, which include copper, silver, and gold.

Vocabulary

Periodic Table: A tabular chart of the chemical elements arranged so that elements with similar properties are in the same group.
Group: A column in the periodic table of chemical elements.
Periods: A row in the periodic table of chemical elements.
Noble Gases: Group 18 of the periodic table consisting of the colorless, odorless, tasteless noble gases.

Rock or Mineral of the Week

Overview

• Mercury is a heavy, toxic, silvery liquid metal.
• Mercury is officially classified as a mineral. However, it is an atypical mineral as it is liquid at room temperature.
• Mercury gets it periodic table symbol 'Hg' from the Latin word for liquid silver - hydrargyrum.

Physical Characteristics

• Color: Silver
• Hardness: N/A (as it is a liquid)
• Luster: Metallic
• Cleavage: N/A (as it is a liquid)
• Streak: N/A (as it is a liquid)
• Tenacity: N/A (as it is a liquid)

Locations

• Spain, Yugoslavia, the United States, and Italy

Interesting Facts

• Mercury can be poured as it is the only metal that is liquid at room temperature.

• Mercury was once used in thermometers, but was replaced as it is very toxic for humans to touch or ingest.

• Mercury is also called quicksilver - because it is a silvery liquid that can flow.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Narrate the Lesson

• After reading or listening to the lesson, narrate the lesson aloud using your own words.

Activity 2: Can You Find It?

Find the following elements on the periodic table:

• Mercury (Hg)
• Gold (Au)
• Copper (Cu)
• Silver (Ag)
• Helium (He)
• Neon (Ne)
• Argon (Ar)
• Group (Column) 18 Elements
• Group (Column) 11 Elements
• Period (Row) 3 Elements
• Period (Row) 6 Elements
• In which group and period is mercury (Hg)?

Activity 3: Map the Lesson

• Mercury is currently found in Spain, Yugoslavia, the United States, and Italy.
• Zoom in to find these countries on the map of the world.

Activity 4: Complete a Notebook Entry   

Complete page 4 in 'Fifth Grade Science Rocks and Minerals Notebook Pages.'

Review

Question 1

Do groups on the periodic table run horizontally (rows) or vertically (columns)?

1 / 5

Answer 1

Groups on the periodic table run vertically (columns).

1 / 5

Question 2

Do periods on the periodic table run horizontally (rows) or vertically (columns)?

2 / 5

Answer 2

Periods on the periodic table run horizontally (rows).

2 / 5

Question 3

What do the all of the elements of Group 18 (noble gases) have in common?

3 / 5

Answer 3

These elements of Group 18 are gases.

3 / 5

Question 4

What do the all of the elements of Group 11 (copper, silver, gold) have in common?

4 / 5

Answer 4

Elements of Group 11 are metals.

4 / 5

Question 5

Describe something about mercury.

5 / 5

Answer 5

Mercury, also called quicksilver, is a silvery and toxic metal that is liquid at room temperature.

5 / 5

❮ ❯

1. Do groups on the periodic table run horizontally (rows) or vertically (columns)? Groups on the periodic table run vertically (columns).
2. Do periods on the periodic table run horizontally (rows) or vertically (columns)? Periods on the periodic table run horizontally (rows).
3. What do the all of the elements of Group 18 (noble gases) have in common? These elements of Group 18 are gases.
4. What do the all of the elements of Group 11 (copper, silver, gold) have in common? Elements of Group 11 are metals.
5. Describe something about mercury. Mercury, also called quicksilver, is a silvery and toxic metal that is liquid at room temperature.

References

'Periodic Table.' Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Periodic_Table. n.p.

'Mercury.' Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_(element). n.p.

Cited Physical Properties. Geology.com. geology.com/rocks. n.p.