### Science Reviewer: Elements

#### Introduction to Elements

- Elements are pure substances that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by
chemical means.
- Each element is characterized by its unique atomic number and chemical properties.

#### Atomic Structure of Elements

1. **Atoms**
- Smallest unit of an element that retains its properties.
- Composed of subatomic particles:
- **Protons:** Positively charged particles found in the nucleus.
- **Neutrons:** Neutral particles found in the nucleus.
- **Electrons:** Negatively charged particles found in electron shells surrounding the
nucleus.

2. **Atomic Number and Mass Number**

- **Atomic Number:** Number of protons in an atom's nucleus. Defines the element.
- **Mass Number:** Sum of protons and neutrons in the nucleus.

3. **Isotopes**
- Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons.
- Have the same atomic number but different mass numbers.
- Examples: Carbon-12, Carbon-13, Carbon-14.

#### Periodic Table of Elements

- Organized arrangement of elements based on increasing atomic number and similar chemical
properties.
- Divided into periods (rows) and groups (columns).

#### Classification of Elements

1. **Metals**
- Located on the left and center of the periodic table.
- Typically solid at room temperature (except mercury).
- Good conductors of heat and electricity.
- Examples: Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), Gold (Au).

2. **Non-metals**
- Located on the right of the periodic table (except hydrogen).
- Can be solid, liquid, or gas at room temperature.
- Poor conductors of heat and electricity.
- Examples: Oxygen (O), Carbon (C), Sulfur (S).

3. **Metalloids**
 - Located along the zigzag line on the periodic table.
- Have properties intermediate between metals and non-metals.
- Examples: Silicon (Si), Germanium (Ge), Arsenic (As).

#### Chemical Properties of Elements

1. **Reactivity**
- Determines how likely an element is to undergo a chemical reaction.
- Metals tend to lose electrons and form positive ions (cations).
- Non-metals tend to gain electrons and form negative ions (anions).

2. **Valence Electrons**
- Electrons in the outermost energy level (valence shell) of an atom.
- Determine an element's chemical properties and bonding behavior.

#### Bonding and Compounds

1. **Ionic Bonds**
- Formed between a metal and a non-metal.
- Electrons are transferred from one atom to another, forming ions that attract each other.

2. **Covalent Bonds**
- Formed between non-metals.
- Electrons are shared between atoms to achieve a stable electron configuration.

3. **Molecular and Ionic Compounds**

- **Molecular Compounds:** Formed by covalent bonds, consisting of molecules (e.g., water,
carbon dioxide).
- **Ionic Compounds:** Formed by ionic bonds, consisting of ions held together by
electrostatic forces (e.g., sodium chloride, calcium carbonate).

#### Importance of Elements

1. **Biological Importance**
- Essential elements required for life processes (e.g., oxygen, carbon, hydrogen).
- Trace elements necessary in small amounts for biological functions (e.g., iron, zinc, iodine).

2. **Technological and Industrial Applications**

- Metals used in construction, electronics, and manufacturing.
- Non-metals used in medicine, agriculture, and energy production.

#### Key Concepts

1. **Periodicity**
- Trends in properties of elements across periods and down groups on the periodic table.
- Examples include atomic radius, ionization energy, and electronegativity.

2. **Noble Gases**
 - Group 18 elements with full valence electron shells.
- Generally inert (non-reactive) under normal conditions.

### Review Questions

1. What are elements, and how are they different from compounds?
2. Explain the structure of an atom, including the roles of protons, neutrons, and electrons.
3. How do isotopes of an element differ from one another?
4. Describe the organization of the periodic table and its significance.
5. Differentiate between metals, non-metals, and metalloids, providing examples of each.
6. Discuss the chemical properties of metals and non-metals in terms of reactivity and bonding
behavior.
7. What are valence electrons, and how do they influence chemical bonding?
8. Compare and contrast ionic and covalent bonds, giving examples of compounds formed by
each type of bond.
9. Why are some elements essential for biological processes, and what are examples of these
elements?
10. What is periodicity, and what are some periodic trends observed in the periodic table?

This reviewer covers fundamental concepts related to elements, providing a comprehensive

overview for students to understand their structure, classification, properties, and significance in
various contexts.