Question

Give the symbol of the element described by cach of the following: a. Group \(4 \mathrm{~A}\) (14), Period 2 b. a noble gas in Period 1 c. an alkali metal in Period 3 d. Group \(2 \mathrm{~A}\) (2), Period 4 e. Group \(3 \mathrm{~A}(13)\), Period 3

Short answer

a. C, b. He, c. Na, d. Ca, e. Al

Step-by-step solution

Identify the element in Group 4A (14), Period 2

Find the element in Group 4A (14) and Period 2 of the periodic table. The element is Carbon with the symbol C.

Identify the noble gas in Period 1

Locate the elements in Period 1 and find the noble gas. The noble gas in Period 1 is Helium with the symbol He.

Identify the alkali metal in Period 3

Find the alkali metals in Period 3 of the periodic table. The alkali metal in Period 3 is Sodium with the symbol Na.

Identify the element in Group 2A (2), Period 4

Search for the element in Group 2A (2) and Period 4 of the periodic table. The element is Calcium with the symbol Ca.

Identify the element in Group 3A(13), Period 3

Locate the element in Group 3A (13) and Period 3 of the periodic table. The element is Aluminum with the symbol Al.

Key concepts

Group 4A elements

The Group 4A elements, also known as Group 14 elements, include carbon (C), silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), tin (Sn), and lead (Pb). These elements possess four electrons in their outermost shell.
This unique configuration allows them to form various types of bonds and compounds.
For example, carbon is incredibly versatile, forming the basis of organic chemistry, while silicon is crucial for electronics.

noble gases

Noble gases are located in Group 18 of the periodic table. These elements include helium (He), neon (Ne), argon (Ar), krypton (Kr), xenon (Xe), and radon (Rn). They are known for their remarkable stability and lack of reactivity.
This is because their outer electron shells are fully filled, making them highly stable and unlikely to form chemical bonds under normal conditions.
Helium, for instance, is used in balloons because it is lighter than air and non-reactive.

alkali metals

Alkali metals belong to Group 1 of the periodic table and include lithium (Li), sodium (Na), potassium (K), rubidium (Rb), cesium (Cs), and francium (Fr). These elements have just one electron in their outermost shell, which makes them extremely reactive.
For instance, sodium reacts vigorously with water to form sodium hydroxide and hydrogen gas.
Due to their high reactivity, alkali metals are typically stored in oil to prevent them from reacting with moisture in the air.

Groups and Periods in the Periodic Table

The periodic table is organized into groups (vertical columns) and periods (horizontal rows). Groups indicate elements with similar chemical properties because they contain the same number of valence electrons.
For example, all Group 4A elements have four valence electrons.
Periods signify the number of electron shells an element has. Elements in the same period have the same number of electron shells, but as you move from left to right, the number of electrons in the outer shell increases.

element symbols

Element symbols are one- or two-letter abbreviations assigned to each element based on their English or Latin names. For example, the symbol for carbon is C, and the symbol for sodium is Na (from its Latin name 'Natrium').
These symbols are universally recognized, making it easy to quickly identify and communicate elements across different languages and scientific fields.
Memorizing these symbols can significantly ease your journey through the periodic table and chemistry in general.