Trends on the Periodic Table Lab

LAB:  TRENDS ON THE PERIODIC TABLE

 INTRODUCTION:

During the nineteenth century, chemists began to categorize the elements according to similarities in their physical and chemical properties.  The end result of these studies was the modern periodic table.  The similarities among elements occur because of the number of valence electrons and the total number of electrons in the atom.  In this activity you will graph different types of data about elements found in the same groups and elements found in the same periods.  Periodic properties of the elements should become apparent to you as you graph this data.

PURPOSE:

• To graph the data collected about various elements.
• To prepare a graphical representation of the periodic trends found on the periodic table.

MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT:

• Graph paper • Ruler         • Colored pencils         • Periodic Table

The Periodic Table: Atomic Radius, Ionization Energy, and Electronegativity (Links to an external site.)