Question

Write the symbol for each element and classify it as a metal, nonmetal, or metalloid. $$ \begin{array}{ll}{\text { a. gold }} & {\text { b. fluorine }} & {\text { c. sodium }} \\ {\text { d. tin }} & {\text { e. argon }}\end{array} $$

Short answer

Gold (Au) - Metal, Fluorine (F) - Nonmetal, Sodium (Na) - Metal, Tin (Sn) - Metal, Argon (Ar) - Nonmetal.

Step-by-step solution

Identify Gold

The symbol for gold is Au. Gold is a metal.

Identify Fluorine

The symbol for fluorine is F. Fluorine is a nonmetal.

Identify Sodium

The symbol for sodium is Na. Sodium is a metal.

Identify Tin

The symbol for tin is Sn. Tin is a metal.

Identify Argon

The symbol for argon is Ar. Argon is a nonmetal.

Key concepts

Periodic Table

The periodic table is an organized chart that displays all the known chemical elements. These elements are arranged by increasing atomic number, which is the number of protons in an atom's nucleus. The table also groups elements with similar chemical behaviors together in columns known as 'groups' or 'families'.

For example, elements that belong to the same group tend to display similar properties, like reactivity or the state of matter at room temperature. The periodic table consists of metals, nonmetals, and metalloids, each occupying distinct areas on the table. Metals can be found on the left side and in the center, nonmetals on the right side, and metalloids along the zigzag division between metals and nonmetals.

Understanding the layout of the periodic table allows students to predict the classification of elements as either metals, nonmetals, or metalloids, which leads us into our next key topic.

Metal Nonmetal Metalloid

In classifying elements as either a metal, nonmetal, or metalloid, it's crucial to recognize certain characteristics. Metals are typically shiny, malleable, ductile, and are good conductors of heat and electricity. They tend to lose electrons during chemical reactions. Examples from the exercise are gold (Au) and sodium (Na), both of which are metals.

Nonmetals, on the other hand, are located on the right side of the periodic table and often have a dull appearance. They are poor conductors of heat and electricity and tend to gain or share electrons when reacting with metals. Fluorine (F) and argon (Ar) from our exercise are nonmetals.

Metalloids display mixed properties of both metals and nonmetals, making their classification a bit trickier. They can be semi-conductors and are often used in electronics and computer chips. While our exercise doesn't include a metalloid, elements such as silicon (Si) and boron (B) are examples of metalloids.

Chemical Symbols

Chemical symbols are one- or two-letter abbreviations used to represent the elements. These symbols are derived from either the English name of the element or its Latin name. For instance, the symbol for gold, 'Au', comes from the Latin word 'aurum'.

Knowing the symbols is integral for chemistry students, as they are frequently used in chemical formulas and equations to represent elements. In our exercise, we identified the symbols for gold (Au), fluorine (F), sodium (Na), tin (Sn), and argon (Ar), each correlating to their respective elements.

Memorizing these symbols helps students efficiently read and write chemical formulas and understand chemical equations. Moreover, familiarity with symbols aids in recognizing the position of the elements on the periodic table as each element's block contains its atomic number, symbol, and atomic weight.