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The periodic table helps us to understand the elements and their chemical properties.

Chemistry - The Periodic Table (AQA)

Learn how the Periodic Table is organised, from groups and periods to trends in melting points and bonding across Period 3, supporting your GCSE Chemistry AQA revision.

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Fascinating Fact:

Across Period 3 melting points vary in a pattern, strong metallic bonding for Na to Al, giant covalent Si peaks, then molecular substances fall again.

In GCSE Science (Chemistry), you learn that the Periodic Table is arranged by atomic number, electronic structure and recurring patterns. Period 3 is a key example for bonding and melting point trends.

Key Terms

Period: A horizontal row in the Periodic Table where elements have the same number of electron shells.
Group: A vertical column in the Periodic Table where elements have similar properties and the same number of outer electrons.
Periodic trend: A pattern in properties, such as melting point or reactivity, that changes in a regular way across a period.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What is the Periodic Table in GCSE Chemistry?

The Periodic Table is a chart that arranges elements in order of atomic number. Elements in the same group have similar properties because they have the same number of outer electrons.

Why do melting points change across Period 3?

From sodium to aluminium, strong metallic bonding increases melting point. Silicon has a giant covalent structure with a very high melting point, then simple molecules like chlorine have much lower melting points.

How does the Periodic Table help predict element properties?

The position of an element shows its electronic structure. From this you can predict its likely bonding, reactivity, states of matter and trends such as melting and boiling points.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .

How are the elements of the periodic table arranged?

They are arranged in ascending order of atomic number

They are arranged in ascending order of atomic mass

They are arranged in descending order of atomic number

They are arranged in descending order of atomic mass

In general, the atomic mass also increases as the atomic number increases - but that isn't always the case

2 .

Which of the following statements best describes the elements in a period?

The elements in a period have different chemical properties

The elements in a period have the same chemical properties

The elements in a period have similar chemical properties

The elements in a period are inert

As you pass along a period, each chemical reacts differently

3 .

Why do elements of the same group have similar chemical properties?

They all have 1 electron in the outer energy level (shell)

They have different atomic masses

They have different numbers of electrons in the outer energy level (shell)

They all have the same number of electrons in the outer shell

Chemical reactions involve the electrons in the outer energy level (shell) so if two elements have the same number of electrons in the energy level (shell) they will react in similar ways

4 .

Group 8 is sometimes numbered as group 0 or group 18. What are the elements of this periodic table group called and why are they unreactive?

Noble solids and they have 8 electrons in their outer energy level (shell)

Noble liqids and they have 8 electrons in their outer energy level (shell) except helium which has 2

Noble gases and they have a complete (full) outer energy level (shell)

Noble elements and they have an empty outer energy level (shell)

The noble gases are unreactive because having a full outer energy level (shell) is a stable arrangement

5 .

Where do you find the transition metals?

The central block

Left and right hand side blocks

At the top

Near the bottom

The transition metals are found in the central block and one of the properties that makes them stand out is that they form coloured compounds

6 .

Which of the following is true about the elements in a group?

They all have different chemical properties

They all have the same chemical properties

They all have similar chemical properties

They are all unreactive

The difficulty here should have been choosing between the 'same' properties and 'similar' properties. The key difference is that there is a pattern in their reactivity - but you don't need to remember that for the exam!

7 .

The periodic table was originally arranged in order of atomic mass. We now know that it is the electron arrangement that determines how the elements react. Which of the following is the correct description of how you work out the electron arrangement of the first 20 elements?

There can be up to 8 electrons in each energy level (shell)

There must be 8 electrons in every energy level (shell)

There is a maximum of 2 in the first energy level (shell) and up to 8 in the rest

You can have up to 4 in the first energy level (shell) and 8 in the others

Each energy level (shell) must be filled before going on to the next

8 .

Lithium is at the top of Group 1. It reacts with water to form lithium hydroxide and hydrogen. Rubidium is lower down the group, when it reacts with water it produces what?

Rubidium hydroxide and hydrogen

Rubidium sulfate and oxygen

Rubidium hydride and hydrogen

Rubidium carbonate and helium

When you know the chemical reactions of one member of a group, you know the reactions of the others. Knowing that little gem could save you a lot of revision time!

9 .

The elements are arranged in groups and periods. What is a period on the table?

A vertical column

A horizontal row

A diagonal row

A block of columns

The end of a period is marked by the noble gases

10 .

Where do you find the metals and non-metals in the periodic table?

Metals on the right, non-metals on the left

Non-metals in the middle surrounded by the metals

Metals in the middle surrounded by the non-metals

Metals on the left, non-metals on the right

The dividing line is a zig-zag starting between boron and carbon, extending until it reaches the halogens. The elements immediately to the left of this line show some properties of metals and some properties of non-metals

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - The periodic table - AQA

Author: Kev Woodward (PGCE, Science & Chemistry Teacher, Quiz Writer)