Know your Facts!
Now that you have been assigned an element to help track down lets review exactly what elements are and why we use the Periodic Table of Elements to organize them. Watch the "Meet the Elements" video below to see exactly what elements are.
What exactly are elements? Elements are the building blocks for all matter. Atoms are smaller than the main components of an element such as electrons, protons, and neutrons. Only when those parts come together do we have atoms with recognizable traits. Some subatomic particles combine to make an oxygen (O) atom. Others can combine to form a nitrogen (N) atom. It's the elements that are different and unique, even though they are made of the same pieces.
We sometimes use the terms atom and element to mean the same thing. Remember that atom is the general term. Everything is made of atoms. The term element is used to describe atoms with specific characteristics. There are about 120 different elements. You are made up of billions and billions of atoms but you probably won't find more than 40 elements (types of atoms) in your body. Chemists have figured out that over 95% of your body is made up of hydrogen (H), carbon (C), nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus (P), and calcium (Ca). |
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Elements are all around us! So there is no telling where this missing element is hidden. Click the picture above to see where elements are hiding in everyday lives.
Knowledge check!What have you learned about the Periodic Table of Elements so far? Click here to see if you are ready to take the next step in helping find the fugitive element!
Every element is represented on the Periodic Table in a unique way. Use your new found knowledge of how elements are organized and represented on the Periodic Table to match the name of the element to its symbol in this game.
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The Periodic table As you can see, the periodic table is organized like a big grid. The elements are placed in specific locations because of the way they look and act. If you have ever looked at a grid, you know that there are rows (left to right) and columns (up and down). The periodic table has rows and columns, and they each mean something different.
Lets look at the Periodic table more closely and see if we can find any clues to help us find our missing element. CLICK HERE to learn more about the Periodic Table of Elements and how its organized. Then watch the video below to see how its all put together in one graphic organizer. Ready to move on?Are you elementally savvy? Periodicity positive? If you have a good understanding of what elements are and how they are organized on the Periodic Table lets go get the Fugitive File!!
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Lets review...
Web Quest & Site Created By: Nicole Ney, Stephanie Rincon & Alyce Land, University of Texas at San Antonio