Group and Element Review:
1) Identify the group that fits each of the following descriptions.
a. form ions with a +3 charge
b. highly stable/unreactive
c. all highly reactive solids
d. highly reactive solids/liquid/gases
e. elements in these groups represent metals, nonmetals and metalloids
f. metals that react vigorously with water
g. metals that react moderately with water
h. exist as diatomic molecules
i. this element is in a family all its own
j. all have 2 valence electrons, but can form ions of many different charges
k. do not form ions
l. form -1 ions
m. can form both +1 and -1 ions
n. form -2 ions
o. form -3 ions
p. some can form +4 ions
q. contains mainly radioactive elements
r. has the general electron configuration ns2
s. has the general electron configuration ns2np4
t. has the general electron configuration ns2np6
u. has the general electron configuration ns1
v. has the general electron configuration ns2np5
w. elements are not found on Earth in large amounts
x. has 6 valence electrons
y. has 4 valence electrons
z. has 1 valence electron
aa. often form colored compounds
bb. contains many trace elements we need as minerals
cc. radioactive; only 3 exist in nature; rest are synthetic and called “transuranium elements” – created in particle
accelerators; decay quickly except Pu
dd. silvery metals; relatively high m.p. little variation in properties  found mixed in nature and hard to separate;
many are phosphors
2. Identify the element that fits each of the following descriptions/uses.
a. a flammable, colorless diatomic gas (two answers)
b. a reddish-brown liquid
c. the only metal that is a liquid at room temperature
d. has 3 isotopes, one of which has zero neutrons
e. least reactive alkali; in long-lasting batteries; used in de-humidifiers to absorb water; its carbonate is used to
strengthen glass and as a drug for bipolar disorder; alloys in airplanes (strong & lightweight).
f. best conductor; transition metal
g. most abundant alkali; sodium vapor lamps; heat exchanger in nuclear reactors; most common positive ion in
fluid outside cells (flow into cells when nerve cell is stimulated); in table salt
h. its chloride can be used as a salt substitute; found in compounds used in fertilizers; its nitrate used as explosive
and for fireworks; most common positive ion inside the cell
i. found combined with Al, Si, O in “beryl”; used in alloys where sparks bad; only metal in its group that doesn’t
form an alkaline solution when it reacts with water.
j. found widely in nature esp. as a metal carbonate – main ingredient in limestone, chalk, and marble; coral reefs
exoskeletons; antacid tablets; abrasive in toothpaste (lime: important in manufacture of steel, paper, glass;
makes soil less acidic; used in wastewater treatment plants; used remove chemicals in smokestacks; mortar =
sand, water, & lime)
k. abundant, can be formed into almost any shape; lighter alloy than steel (bicycles, backpack frames, “mag”
wheels); Its oxide lines furnaces (high m.p.); needed in plants – in chlorophyll; its ion is important in muscle
function and metabolism; part of “hard” water (with Ca2+) – ions interfere with action of soaps and detergents;
can form “scum” (deposits) that clog pipes, water heaters, and steam irons
l. least representative of its group; found in borosilicate glass (withstand extreme differences in temp); main
source = borax (Mojave Desert); borax = cleaning agent & fireproof insulation; boric acid = disinfectant &
eye wash; boron nitride second hardest know material (superabrasive)
m. most abundant metal; third most abundant element in earth’s crust; usually combined with oxygen or silicon;
bauxite = its ore; gems (ruby and sapphire) crystals of this element’s oxide with traces other metals (Cr = ruby
red; iron and Ti = sapphire blue); this element’s sulfate “alum” used in antiperspirants and remove suspended
particles during water purification
n. low m.p. (melt in hand); its arsenide is used in semiconductor chips in light-powered solar calculators and
solar panels (10x more efficient than Si chips); scientist using gallium nitride to make blue laser (triple
storage capacity – shorter wavelength – also increase speed and resolution of laser printers)
o. “organic chemistry” = study of this element’s compounds; Three allotropes (forms = diamond & graphite &
coal.
p. used in computer chips and solar cells (second most abundant element in Earth’s crust after oxygen). Usually
exists as “silica”. Silica found in quartz crystals, sand, and glass.
q. toxic; low m.p.; maybe first obtained from ore (due to low m.p.); used to be used for eating utensils, pipes,
additive in gas in paint; currently used in storage batteries
r. softer than most metals; found in bronze and pewter
s. in air; forms explosives; gains 3 electrons to form -3 ion; colorless, odorless; relatively unreactive; 78% earth’s
atmosphere; contained in protein; bacteria in soil “fix” this element into compounds which contain this
element; used in making ammonia (cleaning product); explosives (TNT and nitroglycerine), dyes, and
fertilizers;
t. three solid allotropes = white (bursts into flames in air thus stored in water), red (used on striking surface for
match boxes); black (formed when other under high pressure); phosphate compounds used in cheese,
laxatives, baking powders, flame-retardant coating for fabrics, grease removers in cleaning products,
fertilizers; phosphates from fertilizer increase algae
u. contained in peptobismal; “Wood’s metal” alloy
v. two allotropes O3 and O2; ~20% earth’s atmosphere, colorless, odorless, needed for combustion; produced in
photosynthesis; most abundant element in earth’s crust;
w. ten allotropes; its oxide is found in acid rain; sulfuric acid produced used to make fertilizer; H2S = rotten egg
smell released through ocean vents
x. found as part of a compound in fish, eggs, and grains (works w/ vit. E prevent cell damage; prevent cancer
growth?); “locoweed” plant – get sick; can convert light into electricity – used in solar panels; photographers
use in light meters; photocopiers work because charged particles of this element create an “image” of item;
semiconductor
y. highest electronegativity; most reactive nonmetal; Latin “fluere” “to flow”; the element’s compounds are
added to toothpaste and drinking water, also in non-stick surfaces;
z. reacts with most elements; deadly gas; compounds disinfect sewage; compounds used as bleaching agents and
to remove stains; dentist use compounds to block pain; an element in the acid found in your stomach, part of
PVC pipes
aa. discovered in emission spectrum of sun; found in earth natural gas wells (light enough to escape gravity);
used in blimps air ships and balloons; mixed with O2 for divers to prevent “bends”; coolant for supercooling
magnets
bb. light displays named after this element which gives off orange light
cc. most abundant noble gas (1% atmosphere); inert environment high temp welding; used in filament of
incandescent light bulbs and as layer of insulation between panes of glass
dd. radioactive element found in smoke detectors