Unit 1.3 Make Your Own Periodic Table
This unit emphasizes the importance of understanding atomic structure and periodicity of the properties of the elements in chemistry. It shows an activity in which students discover periodic trends.
Video program cues: 13:15-25:20

The Periodic Table

"The periodic table, for me, is the roadmap to chemistry; where to look and what to expect. It's probably the most fundamental thing in all of chemistry because these are the elements which make up all the world around us and the whole universe, and nothing could be more fundamental than studies of the elements."

Dr. Darleane Hoffman
Professor of Chemistry, UC- Berkeley

Link

• An excellent interactive periodic table on the web with links to many properties and trends for each element.

Periodic trends activity

Pernell Williams teaches the principles of periodicity through an activity in which students discover periodic trends

Activity

• Teacher’s Guide [PDF]
• Students’ Guide [PDF]

Links

• Another interactive periodic table.
• A searchable periodic table. Clicking on an element produces a list of its properties, which may be used in making the element cards in Mr. Williams’ activity.
• Model your own periodic table in this activity from NASA’s Genesis Project. Requires Flash plugin. Teacher’s guide included.

Readings
Laing, M., (2001) 'Melting Point, Density, and Reactivity of Metals', 'Journal of Chemical Education, Vol. 78, No. 8, pp: 1054-1058

Jacobsen, Jerrold J.; Bain, Gordon; Bruce, Kara; and Moore, John W. (2000) 'Chemistry Comes Alive!, Volume 4: Abstract of Special Issue 25 on CD-ROM', 'Journal of Chemical Education, Vol. 77, No. 6, pp: 779-800.

Elements 99 and 100

"Some elements were discovered totally unexpectedly. Elements 99 and 100 were discovered in the first U.S. thermo nuclear test, which was conducted in the South Pacific. These two elements were discovered in the debris from that test, which were collected later on… anytime you discover a new element or new isotope, it's a real high, when you're sure that it is true and that you've pinned it down, because you've seen something that nobody has seen before…."

Dr. Darleane Hoffman
Professor of Chemistry, UC - Berkely

Link

• An interactive periodic table from Los Alamos National Laboratory that includes properties, history, sources, isotopes, uses, handling and costs (1990 dollars)

Proceed to Unit 1.4