Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
National Capital Region
DIVISION OF CITY SCHOOLS – MANILA
Manila Education Center Arroceros Forest Park
Antonio J. Villegas St. Ermita, Manila

CONSUMER
CHEMISTRY

THE INDESTRUCTIBLE ELEMENTS

Quarter 1 Week 1 Module 1

Learning Competency: Describe an element using their

physical and chemical properties.

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HOW TO USE THIS SUPPLEMENTARY LEARNING MATERIAL (SLeM)

Before you start answering the SLeM, I want you to set aside other tasks that
will disturb you while enjoying the lessons. Read carefully the instructions below to
successfully enjoy the objectives of this kit. Have fun!

1. Follow carefully all the contents and instructions indicated in every part of
this SLeM.
2. Write on your notebook the concepts about the lessons. Keep in mind that
Writing develops and enhances learning,
3. Perform all the provided activities in the SLeM.
4. Let your facilitator/guardian assess your answers.
5. Analyze conceptually the posttest and apply what you have learned.
6. Enjoy studying!

PARTS OF THE SUPPLEMENTARY LEARNING MATERIAL

Expectation - This will provide what you will be able to know after completing
the lessons in the SLeM.
Pre-test - This will assess your prior knowledge and the concepts to be
mastered throughout the lesson.
Looking Back - This section will measure the skills that you learned and
understood from the previous lesson.
Brief Introduction- This section will give you an overview of the lesson.
Activities- These are activities designed to develop your critical thinking and
other competencies that you need to master. This can be done solely or with
your partner depending on the nature of the activity.
Remember - This section summarizes the concepts and applications of the
lessons.
Checking your Understanding - This will verify how you learned from the
lesson.
Post-test - This will measure how much you have learned from the entire
SLeM.

LESSON 1: ELEMENTS
EXPECTATIONS
This Module will help you to
• Define elements;
• Explain the different orientations of the elements; and
• Identify the different origin of elements name

PRETEST

Directions: Write the letter of the correct answer that best completes the
sentence or answers the questions on your notebook.
1. A vertical column in the periodic table is called a __________.
A. Group C. Branch
B. Period D. Valence

2. The majority of the elements in the periodic table are__________.

A. Metals C. Metalloids
B. Nonmetals D. Noble Gases

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3. Which of the following statements is true regarding the stair – stepped line
running from Aluminum to Polonium? In the periodic table __________.
A. It divides metals and nonmetals.
B. It divides lanthanides and actinides.
C. It divides transition metals and metals.
D. It divides early transition metals and late transition metals.
4. Why is Aluminum so versatile? It is used in ____________
A. medicine C. garment industry
B. food industry D. kitchen utensils and window frame
5. How can you help increase oxygen in the air?
A. Planting trees
B. “Kaingin Farming”
C. Burning the garbage
D. Throwing garbage on the bodies of water

LOOKING BACK
Visual Thinking Approach: Elements in Our Daily Life
Directions: Study the following pictures. Put a check (/) on the space
provided if the picture shows elements in our daily life.

1. _____ 2. _____ 3._____

4. _____ 5. _____
Directions: Find the Elements. Write your answer on your notebook.
G O L D P R E T T Y A B O R O N
A F Q A L U M I N U M U X H P I
B G W D A D S Y B E R H Y L M T
C H D O W E D I N K O M G S E R
E B B L R R V O T T I N E F U O
S I L V E R B L K P K Q N H I G
D H B I N G N M L O L B G J K E
F R K N C A R B O N A N N K T N
G K L E I H P D F N T O S G K B
H Z E A U E E V N I K L W M O L
I M T T M N N A P E E D E W G J
Can you give more elements? Write your answer on your notebook.

BRIEF INTRODUCTION
No element, no matter. Everything that we see, including yourselves
contains different elements. In fact, we depend on elements everyday of
your lives to stay alive. An element is a substance that cannot be
decomposed into simpler substances by ordinary chemical processes. Elements are
the fundamental materials of which all matter is composed of.

Activity 1: Chemical Symbol and Name of the Elements

Objective: Write the symbol and name of the elements correctly.
Materials: Notebook, Pen and Periodic Table

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Directions: Write the symbol of the elements for numbers 1-5 and name of the
elements for numbers 6-10. Write your answer on your notebook.
Element Chemical Chemical Element
symbol symbol
1. Mercury 6. Li
2. Iodine 7. B
3. Calcium 8. Si
4. Tungsten 9. S
5. Tin 10. H

Question:
How are you going to write the chemical symbol of an element?
Activity 2: What’s Your Name?
Objective: Identify the different origin of elements' names.
Materials: Notebook, Pen and Periodic Table
Directions: Identify the origin of the element's name. Group the following elements
based from their name of origin. Copy and answer the Table on your notebook.
Lr Po Ga Au He Np W Cu
Bh Fr K Sg Es Na Ta Sb
PLACE OF CLASSICAL
DISCOVERER DISCOVERY LATIN/GREEK MYTHOLOGY
NAMES

Questions:
1. How were the elements get their names? _________________________
2. How are Au, Cu and K named? __________________________________
Read the Article by Mark Lorch (Conversation) on the Reading Materials.
Activity 3: Orientation of the Elements
Objective: Give the different orientation of the elements.
Materials: Notebook, Pen and Periodic Table
Directions: Identify whether the set of elements belong to the same GROUP or
PERIOD. Write G for Group and P for Period. Write your answer on your notebook.
Set of Elements Group/Period Set of Elements Group/Period
1. Rb, Fr 6. V, Cr
2. Pt, Au 7. Mo, W
3. Si, P 8. Ca, Sr
4. He, Ne 9. Ge, Pb
5. Rh, Ir 10. Np, Pu
Questions:
1. How are elements placed in the Periodic Table? ________________________________
2. What is the difference between a Group and Period in the Periodic Table._________

REMEMBER (Key Concepts)

ELEMENTS are the simplest form of matter. They cannot be separated

into simple form.

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CHEMICAL SYMBOLS are written with one or two letters where in the first letter is
always capitalized and the second letter in small letter.
Elements are named after the discoverer, places of
discovery, Greek names and figures in mythology and
astronomical object.
The elements in the periodic table are arranged from left to
right (period or series) which indicates the highest energy level
occupied by the electrons of the elements found in the period and also, from top to
bottom (group or family) in order of increasing atomic number.
The Elements in the Periodic Table are classified as Metals, Nonmetals, and
Metalloids.

CHECKING YOUR UNDERSTANDING

Directions: Answer briefly the following questions. Write your answer on
your notebook.
1. What is an element? ____________________________________________________
2. How are elements named? ______________________________________________
3. What makes the arrangement or classification of elements in the Periodic Table
important? _______________________________________________________
Care for oneself!
Human body contains abundant elements from natural sources such as
Calcium (Ca) from seashells and milk, needed for bone and teeth formation; Iron (Fe)
from green leafy vegetables, needed by blood to prevent anemia; and cadmium (Cd)
is found in cigarette butts. Why do you think smoking is dangerous to your health?

POSTTEST
Directions: Write the letter of the correct answer that best completes the
sentence or answer the question.
1. What is the symbol of Oganesson?
A. Og B. Os C. On D. O
2. Element Francium (Fr) is named after __________.
A. Mythology C. Classical Name
B. Discoverer D. Places of Discovery
3. Element Tantalum (Ta) is named after __________.
A. Mythology C. Classical Name
B. Discoverer D. Places of Discovery
4. What is the arrangement of elements from left to right in the
periodic table called __________?
A. Group C. Period
B. Family D. None of the above
5. A woman with anemia experiences extreme fatigue, pale skin and
headache. How will you help her? Tell her to ________
A. skip meals C. eat food rich with Iron
B. drink a lot of water D. eat sweet and salty food
LESSON 2: Arrangement of Elements in the Periodic Table

EXPECTATIONS
This SLEM will help you to describe an element using their physical
and chemical properties. Specifically, it aims to:
• Identify the different arrangement of elements in the Periodic Table;
• Identify the different properties of elements with regards to their position in
the Periodic Table

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PRETEST
Directions: Write the letter of the correct answer that best completes the
sentence or answers the question. Write your answer on your notebook.
1. What is the common name given to the elements in Group I?
A. Halogens C. Nonmetals
B. Alkaline D. Alkali Metals
2. The elements in Group I are not usually found free in nature because they
are_____.
A. very reactive C. very unreactive
B. all man made D. rare earth metals
3. Alkali Metals play an important role in the biological life on earth. Which one
of the following pairs of properties are both properties of Alkali Metals?
A. Float on water and do not react with air
B. Hard metals and unreactive with water
C. Good conductors of heat and electricity
D. Do not react with water and have low densities
4. Which of the following is not true about Metalloids?
A. They are borderline elements that exhibit both metallic and
nonmetallic properties.
B. Some of these elements are Boron, Silicon and Germanium.
C. They usually act as electron donors with nonmetals and as
electron acceptors with metals.
D. They are good conductors of heat and electricity.
5. Carbon pollution is very harmful on both living and nonliving. How can you
reduce carbon emissions globally?
A. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle C. Deforestation
B. Use aircon for 24 hours D. Always use your car

LOOKING BACK

Directions: Identify whether the set of elements belong in the same Group
or Period. Write G for Group and P for Period.

__________1. Al Cl __________6. Krypton Xenon

__________2. Na Rb __________7. Technetium Palladium
__________3. Co Rh __________8. Yttrium Zirconium
__________4. La Ce __________9. Carbon Silicon
__________5. Li Be __________10. Barium Radium

Can you give more elements belonging in the same groups and period

BRIEF INTRODUCTION
The Periodic Table is a classification system for the elements that make up
the matter and materials in our world. Today, there are more than 100
different elements known! Each element has its own name, symbol, atomic
number and position on the Periodic Table. Each element has some of its unique or
similar properties.

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ACTIVITIES
Activity 1: Listing Down of Elements' Names and
Symbols
Objective: Identify the arrangement of elements in the
Periodic Table
Materials: Notebook, pen and Periodic Table
Directions: Answer the following. Write your answer on
your notebook.
A. Write down the names of the first 5 elements
in Group XVII.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
B. Write down the symbols of the first 5 elements in Period 3.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Questions:
1. What are the different categories of elements belonging to the same
Group/Family? ________________________________________________________
2. What Period/Series do the Lanthanides and Actinides
belong? ________________________________________________________________
Activity 2: When You Color Me, You Know Where I Am!
Objective: Identify the different arrangement of elements in the Periodic Table.
Materials: Notebook, Pen, Periodic Table and Coloring Materials
Directions: Copy and Color the Periodic Table on your notebook.
Color Group I RED. Color Actinoids YELLOW.
Color Noble Gases GREEN. Color Group III BLACK.
Color Lanthanoids BLUE.

Activity 3: Properties and Position of the Elements in the Periodic Table

Objective: Identify the different properties of elements as positioned in the Periodic
Table.
Materials: Notebook, Pen and Periodic Table
Procedure: The Periodic Table is divided into 3 main GROUPS and classified into
FAMILIES each with specific properties. Name these groups/families and identify
their properties. Write your answer on your notebook.
Metals Group: _________________________________________________
Properties: ______________________________________________
Nonmetals Group: _________________________________________________

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Properties: ______________________________________________
Group II Family: _________________________________________________
Properties: ______________________________________________
Questions:
1. What are the different nonmetal group of elements?
___________________________________________________________________
2. What are their distinct properties? _________________________________

Modify and Be Creative!!!

Design and explore, try your own activity to check your understanding.
For easy categorizing or classifying elements in terms of its location in the periodic
table, make a table that shows the list of different properties of elements belonging in
the 3 main groups and families

REMEMBER (Key Concepts)

The Periodic Table of Elements:
• Arranges all of the known chemical elements in an informative array.
Elements are arranged from left to right and top to bottom in order of
increasing atomic number. Order generally coincides with increasing atomic
mass.
• The rows are called periods or series. The period numbers of an
element signify the highest energy level an electron in that element occupies.
The number of electrons in a period increases as one move down the periodic
table. We have 7 Periods.
• Elements that occupy the same column on the periodic table called a
group. The vertical columns are called group or families.
The elements in each column have similar chemical properties due to their
similarities in the number of electrons in their outer shells or in their
highest principal energy level. There are 18 Groups of elements in the
periodic table.
• Properties of Metals are low ionization energy, low electronegativity, hard,
shiny, ductile, malleable, high melting and boiling points, high thermal and
electrical conductivity.
• Properties of Metalloids or Semimetals are electronegativity and ionization
energy are between metals and nonmetals, may possess metallic luster,
variable density, hard, good semiconductors and reactivity depends on the
nature of the other element in the reaction.
Properties of Nonmetals are the exact opposite of the Metal properties of
metals.
CHECKING YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Directions: Answer the following questions briefly. Write your answer on
your notebook.
How can the Periodic Table be used to predict chemical and physical
properties of elements?_______________________________________________
POST TEST
Directions: Write the letter of the correct answer that best completes the
sentence or answers the question.
1. The family of elements that have 1 valence electron is the __________.
A. Halogen Family C. Alkali Metal Family
B. Noble Gas Family D. Alkaline Earth Metal Family
2. Which family of elements have 7 valence electrons?
A. Boron Group C. Nitrogen Group
B. Halogen Group D. Alkali Metal Family

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3. Describe how the arrangement of elements in the Periodic Table is
related to atomic structure of their atoms.
A. The vertical rows are called periods.
B. The horizontal rows are called groups.
C. Elements in the same period have different number of electrons
shells.
D. Elements are arranged in order of increasing atomic
number/proton number.
4. Why are they called noble elements?
A. Rare B. Reactive C. Expensive D. Not reactive
5. What is the importance of the arrangement of elements in the Periodic
Table?
A. It tells the name of the elements.
B. It tells the different uses of elements.
C. It gives the exact importance of the elements.
D. To organize the similarities and properties of the elements.
LESSON 3: ELEMENTS VS COMPOUNDS
EXPECTATIONS
This Module will help you to:
• Define compound; and
• Differentiate elements from a compound

PRETEST
Directions: Write the letter of the best answer. Write your answer on your
notebook.
1. What happens to two or more elements when chemically joined?
A. A compound is formed.
B. A mixture is formed.
C. A substance that is the same as the elements is formed.
D. The physical properties of the substances remain the same.
2. What kind of pure substance forms when two elements chemically combined?
A. Element B. Compound C. Mixture D. Solution
3. How many different elements are in this chemical formula: C 2 H 2 ClK 3 ?
A. 6 B. 2 C. 8 D. 4
4. Which of the following is a pure substance?
A. O 2 B. SiO 2 C. Al 2 CO 5 D. C 6 H 12 O 6
5. Which of the following compounds is needed by our body?
A. CH 4 (Methane) C. H 2 O 2 (Hydrogen peroxide)
B. CO 2 (Carbon dioxide) D. C 6 H 8 O 7 (Citric acid)
LOOKING BACK
Directions: Identify the elements present in the chemical
formula. Write your answer on your notebook.

When Carbon is combined with Oxygen atoms, it forms Carbon dioxide.

This is called compound.

1. CuO _____________ 4. FeCl 2 _______________

2. CO 2 _____________ 5. H 2 O _______________
3. FeCl ______________

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BRIEF INTRODUCTION
It is important to know about the elements’ chemical symbols, their
classifications, properties and location in the periodic table.

ACTIVITIES
Activity 1: Particle Illustration

Objective: Differentiate elements from a compound in terms of their particles.

Materials: Notebook and Pen
Directions: Match the substance to its correct particle picture. Write your answer
on your notebook.

1. Gold ring with diamonds, Au and C

2. Cooking salt, NaCl

3. Gold bar, Au

Question:
1. How can you describe the particles of a compound? _______________

Elements and compounds are pure chemical

substances found in nature. The difference
between an element and a compound is that
an element is a substance made of same type
of atoms, whereas a compound is made of
different elements in definite
proportions. Examples of elements include
iron, copper, hydrogen and oxygen. Examples
of compounds include water (H 2 O) and salt
(Sodium Chloride – NaCl).

(What can you say about the illustration?

Activity 2: Elements or Compounds
Objective: Differentiate elements from a compound based on their chemical
formula.
Materials: Notebook and Pen
Directions: Determine if the examples below are Elements or Compounds based on
their Chemical Formula. For Elements, write E and write C for Compounds. Write
your answer on your notebook.
1. CH 3 COOH (Acetic Acid) 6. NH 3 (Ammonia)
2. HCl (Hydrochloric Acid) 7. C (Carbon)
3. H 2 SO 4 (Sulfuric Acid) 8. Mg (Magnesium)
4. Au (Gold) 9. C 2 H 5 OH (Ethanol)
5. Na (Sodium) 10. CH 4 (Methane)

Questions:
1. How many elements are present in CH 3 COOH (Acetic Acid - known as
vinegar)?
____________________________________________________________________
2. Why Sucrose (C 12 H 22 O 11 , table sugar) is a compound?
____________________________________________________________________

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REMEMBER (Key Concepts)
• An element e.g. gold (Au) is a pure substance made from only one type
of atom.
• A compound e.g. water (H 2 O) is a pure substance made from two or
more elements chemically bonded together.
• Elements, unlike compounds, cannot be broken down into any simple
substance. Compounds however can be broken down. For example, hydrogen
peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) will spontaneously decompose into water and oxygen. Pass
an electric current through molten lead bromide and you will get lead and
bromine. Mixtures e.g. salt and water or iron and water or iron and sulfur are
made from two or more different compounds, compounds and elements, or
elements that are not chemically bonded and so can be separated using
physical processes e.g. filtration.

CHECKING YOUR UNDERSTANDING

Directions: Answer briefly the following questions. Write your answer on your
notebook.

How could you prove that glucose (C 6 H 12 O 6 ) is not an element?

____________________________________________________________________

POST TEST
Directions: Write the letter of the correct answer that best completes the
sentence or answer the question.
1. A combination of two or more elements chemically combined is
called ___________.
A. solids C. mixture
B. element D. compound
2. Which could not be broken down into simpler substances?
A. Solids C. Mixture
B. Element D. Compound
3. Salt water boils and the water completely evaporate, salt (NaCl)
is left at the bottom of the beaker. Which substance is left?
A. Element C. Compound
B. Mixture D. None of the above
4. It is a compound used not only in cooking but in cleaning as
well.
A. Sucrose C. Hydrogen Peroxide
B. Table Salt D. Methane
5. Why is water the most important compound in our life?
A. Vital for all forms of life.
B. It is composed of 2 elements.
C. The chemical formula is H2O.
D. It is composed of Hydrogen and Oxygen.

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REFERENCES
Chemistry by Addison-Wesley
Retrieved from: https://www. siyavula.com
Retrieved from: https://www.freakgenie.com
Interactive Chemistry by Franco et. al
Retrieved from: https://www.chemicool.com
Retrieved from: https://www.wikipedia.com
Retrieved from: https://www.diffen.com
Retrieved from: https://www.thescienceteacher.co.uk.com
Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com

LESSON 1: ELEMENTS
ANSWER KEY
Pretest:
1. A 2. A 3. A 4. D 5. C
Looking Back:
A. 1. / 2. 3. / 4. / 5. /
B. 1. Gold 6. Silver
2. Lawrencium 7. Neon
3. Oxygen 8. Tin
4. Carbon 9. Aluminum
5. Nitrogen 10. Boron
Activities:
Activity 1 (Symbols and Names)
1. Hg 6. Lithium
2. I 7. Boron
3. Ca 8. Silicon
4. W 9. Sulfur
5. Sn 10. Hydrogen
Activity 2 (What’s Your Name?)
CLASSICAL
DISCOVERER PLACES OF LATIN/GREEK Mythology
DISCOVERY NAMES
Lr Po Ga He
Bh Fr Au Np
Sg W Ta
Es Cu
K
Na
Sb
Activity 3 (Orientation of Elements)
1. G 6. P
2. P 7. G
3. P 8. P
4. G 9. G
5. G 10. P
Checking Your Understanding:
1. Elements are the simplest form of matter. They cannot be separated
into simple form.

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2. Elements are named after the name of the Discoverer, Places
of Discovery, Greek Names and Figures in Mythology including the
Astronomical Object.
3. Elements are arranged from Left to Right (Period/Series) and Top to
Bottom (Group/Family).
Elements are classified as Metals, Nonmetals and Metalloids
Post Test:
1. A 2. D 3. A 4. C 5. C
LESSON 2: ARRANGEMENT OF ELEMENTS IN THE PERIODIC TABLE
ANSWER KEY
Pretest:
1. D 2. A 3. C 4. C 5. A
Looking Back:
1. P (Aluminum, Chlorine) 6. G (Kr, Xe)
2. G (Sodium, Rubidium) 7. P (Tc, Pd)
3. G (Cobalt, Rhodium) 8. P (Y, Zr)
4. P (Lanthanum, Cerium) 9. G (C, Si)
5. P (Lithium, Beryllium) 10. G (Ba, Ra)
Activities:
Activity 1 (Listing Down Elements Name and Symbols)
A1. Fluorine B1. Li
2. Chlorine 2. Be
3. Bromine 3. B
4. Iodine 4. C
5. Astatine 5. N
Activity 2 (Coloring the Periodic Table)

Activity 3 (The Periodic Table, Properties and Positions)

Metals: Group IA (Alkali), IIA (Alkaline Earth) and Group B (Transition Metals
(Early and Late)). Properties are mostly solid except for Hg (liquid), shiny, good
conductors of electricity and heat, ductile and malleable.
Nonmetals: Nitrogen (N), Oxygen (O), Sulfur (S), Selenium (Se) and Bromine
(Br). Properties are dull, not metallic-shiny, high ionization energies and
electronegativities, not malleable or ductile and poor thermal and electrical
conductors.
Group II: Alkaline Earth Metals. Properties are low electron
affinity and low electronegativity and have 2 valence electrons.
Checking Your Understanding:
The Periodic Table can predict the properties of elements because it organizes
the elements according to their atomic number. The atomic number is the defining
characteristic of an element.
Post Test: 1. C 2. B 3. D 4. D 5. D
LESSON 3: ELEMENTS VS COMPOUNDS
ANSWER KEY
Pretest:
1. A 2. B 3. A 4. A 5. D
Looking Back:
1. Copper and Oxygen 4. Iron and Chlorine
2. Carbon and Oxygen 5. Hydrogen and Oxygen

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3. Iron and Chlorine
Activities:
Activity 1 (Particle Illustration)

1. 2. 3.
Activity 2 (Elements or Compounds)
1. C 6. C
2. C 7. E
3. C 8. E
4. E 9. C
5. E 10. C
Checking Your Understanding:
Glucose (C 6 H 12 O 6 ) is a compound because it is composed of 3 elements
namely Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen. Glucose have 6 Carbon atoms, 12 Hydrogen
atoms and 6 Oxygen atoms.
Post Test: 1. C 2. B 3. C 4. B 5. A

Acknowledgements
Writer: Monina R. Pineda
Editors: Rosanna N. Nilo HT-VI

Reviewers: Rebecca M. Roxas-EPS

Management Team: Maria Magdalena M. Lim
Schools Division Superintendent
Aida H. Rondilla
Chief Education Supervisor
Lucky S. Carpio
Education Program Supervisor
Lady Hannah C Gillo
Librarian II-LRMS

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ATTACHEMENT
(LESSON 1: Elements)
Important Elements in Our Life:
Essential Elements in Humans Human Diet (Hydrogen, Carbon, Nitrogen,
Oxygen, Sodium, Magnesium, Phosphorous, Sulfur, Chlorine, Potassium, Calcium,
Manganese, Iron, Cobalt, Copper, Zinc, Selenium, Molybdenum and Iodine). Some
elements are needed for specific organisms: Boron (B) – growth of plants, Bromine
(Br) – marine organisms and Tungsten (W) – some microorganism.
Suggested to be essential for humans (Fluorine, Silicon, Vanadium,
Chromium, Nickel, Arsenic and Tin).
Nonessential for humans (Helium, Lithium, Beryllium, etc. (all the remaining
elements).
Essential Element is one that is required for life and whose absence results in
death.
Classification of the Essential Elements:
Bulk Elements (Oxygen, Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen and Sulfur - the building
blocks of the compounds that constitute our organ).
Macro minerals (Sodium, Magnesium, Potassium, Calcium, Chlorine and
Phosphorous – provide essential ions in body fluids and from the major structural
components of the body (Phosphorous is a key constituent of both DNA and RNA, the
genetic building blocks of living organisms.) The six macro minerals are present in the
body in somewhat smaller amounts than the bulk elements, lower levels are required
in the diet.
Trace Elements are the remaining essential elements, present in a very small
amount. Measurable levels of some elements are found in humans, but are not
required for growth or good health.
(ARTICLE by Mark Lorch, Professor of Science Communication and Chemistry
University)
How Elements Got their Names
“Elements are named after a mythological concept or character (including an
astronomical object); a mineral, or similar substance; a place or geographical region;
a property of the element; or a scientist”.
But there wasn’t always such an organization overseeing the names of the elements.
The following are the summary of naming the different elements in the Periodic
Table:
Two of the element stinks. Bromine means “stench” and Osmium means
“smells”. France also appears twice on the periodic table in the form of francium and
gallium (from Gaul) and its capital city, Paris, gets a mention (in the form of lutetium).
Three Sanskrit words – eka, dvi and tri, meaning one, two and three – were
prefixed to elements and used as provisional names for those that had yet to be
discovered. Eka- is used to denote an element directly below another in the table,
dvi- is for an element two rows down and tri- is three rows beneath. Russian
chemist Dimitri Mendeleev first used this nomenclature to fill in the gaps in his
early periodic table, so element number 32 was known as eka-silicon until it was
discovered and named germanium in 1886. Similarly, rhenium was known as dvi-
manganese until 1926. Some 14 elements have had eka names including our four
new additions which before their discovery were known as eka-thallium, eka-
bismuth, eka-astatine and eka-radon.
Four of the elements are named after planets (Earth – in the form of tellurium,
Mercury, Neptune and Uranus). A further two are named after dwarf plants (Pluto
and Ceres), while one after a star (helium from the Greek for the sun – Helios) and
another after an asteroid (Pallas) feature on the periodic table.

15
Five elements are named after other elements: molybdenum is from the Greek
for lead, molybdos, while platinum comes from the Spanish platina meaning “little
silver”. Radon is derived from radium; zirconium has its roots in the
Arabic zarkûnmeaning “gold-like” and nickel is from the German for “devil’s copper”.
Eight elements were first isolated from rocks quarried in the small village of
Ytterby in Sweden. Four of those elements are named in tribute to the village
(ytterbium, erbium, terbium, yttrium).
15 are named after scientists, only two of whom were women: Marie Curie and
Lise Meitner are immortalized in curium and meitnerium.
18 elements have had placeholder names derived from the Latin for the
elements atomic number (for example ununoctium, now oganesson). This was
introduced to stop scientists fighting over what their discoveries should be called.
Nobody wants a repeat of the three-decade long “Transferium Wars” when battles
raged between competing American and Russian laboratories over what to call
elements 104, 105 and 106.
42 elements’ names are derived from Greek; 23 from Latin; 11 from English;
five are Anglo-saxon; five German; five Swedish; two Norse; three Russian, and one
apiece for Japanese, Sanskrit, Gaelic, Arabic and Spanish.
118 elements appear on the periodic table, and the seventh row is complete,
but that doesn’t mean the table is finished. Laboratories around the world are busy
smashing atoms together in an attempt to forge new, even heavier, elements. The
hope is that before long these latter day alchemists will hit upon the fabled “island
of stability”; a region of the table that harbors elements with half-lives much longer
that the sub-second lives of nihonium, moscovium, tennessine, and oganesson.

LESSON 2: Arrangement of Elements in the Periodic Table)

Elements in the Periodic Table are also classified into two categories such as
Family A or the representative elements and the Family B or the transition metal.
Group A or Family A (Representative Elements): Group IA – ALKALI METAL,
Group IIA – ALKALINE EARTH METALS, Group IIIA – ALUMINUM GROUP/BORON
FAMILY, Group IVA – CARBON FAMILY, Group VA – NITROGEN FAMILY, Group VIA
– OXYGEN FAMILY or CHALCOGENS, Group VIIA – HALOGENS, Group VIIIA –
GROUP O or NOBLE/INERT GASES
Group B or Family B (Transition Elements): Transition elements are found
in between Group IIA and Group IIIA and are referred to as the d-block, while the
inner transition elements (lanthanides and actinides) are found at the bottom of the
table and are referred as the f-block.
Periodic table consists horizontal rows called the PERIODS or SERIES. There
are seven periods which are designated as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. The elements
belonging to the same period have different properties. The periods can be described
as follows:
Period 1 has two elements (hydrogen and helium) corresponding to the
number of electrons in the s-sublevel having their electrons occupying only one main
energy level.
Period 2 and 3 (lithium through neon and sodium through argon) each has
eight elements corresponding to the eight electrons in the s and p sublevels.
Period 4 and 5 (from potassium through krypton and from rubidium through
xenon) each has eighteen elements corresponding to the eighteen electrons in the s,
p, and d sublevels.
Period 6 has 32 elements corresponding to the 32 electrons in the s, p, d, and
f sublevels. To make this period fit the 18-member maximum arrangement of
elements, the 14 elements from atomic numbers 58 to 71 are removed and placed at
the bottom of the table to form the lanthanide series.

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Period 7 also includes 14 elements (from atomic number 90 through 103)
which were placed at the bottom part of the table to form the actinide series. This
period is still incomplete, waiting for some more elements to be discovered.
The last two periods are called the inner transition elements. The
lanthanide series is then called the rare-earth elements and the actinide series, the
heavy rare-earth elements.

(LESSON 3: Elements VS Compounds)

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ELEMENTS AND COMPOUNDS

ELEMENTS COMPOUNDS
1. Elements consists of same type of 1. Compound are made up of two or
atoms. more types of atoms chemically
combined.
2. Elements cannot be broken down 2. A compound can be broken into
Further. simpler elements using chemical
reactions.
3. There are about 118 elements that 3. We can form endless compounds.
have been observed. 4. A compound is expressed using a
4. Elements are expressed as symbols. formula.
5. Examples of elements: Hydrogen (H), 5. Examples of compounds are water
Oxygen (O), Carbon (C) etc. (H 2 O), common salt or sodium chloride
(NaCl) etc.
Compounds We Use in Everyday Life
There are several compounds we all use in our daily life, which have become
an essential part of our growth and survival. We encounter these compounds in our
daily life; in the food we eat, the water we drink and the air we breathe.
1. Water (Chemical Formula: H 2 O - in drinking, cooking, household needs,
industries, and agriculture)
2. Table Salt (Chemical Formula: NaCl – ingredient/seasoning (most effective
preservatives)
3. Sucrose (Sugar) (Chemical Formula: C 12 H 22 O 11 - major ingredient in baking and
cooking; desserts and beverages; pharmaceutical industries, where they act as an
additive in medicinal drugs (which taste utterly terrible) to make them more
palatable)
4. Soaps (Chemical Formula: RCOO–Na, Where R is a long chain of carbon atoms
ranging from 16-18 in number. - We all start our daily routine after taking a good
bath.)
5. Toothpaste (Chemical Formula: CaCO 3 or NaF - Brushing our teeth is first
thought come to our mind after we wake up. It is a basic compound which reduces
the bacteria present in our mouth.)
6. Baking Powder (Chemical Formula: NaHCO 3 (Sodium-bi-carbonate ion) - used
in baking cakes and desserts; used in neutralizing stomach acidity; and it can be
used as a natural deodorant.
7. Mouthwash (Chemical Formula: H 2 O 2 (Hydrogen peroxide) - Mouth wash is an
antiseptic solution which is used to reduce the antibacterial load in our oral cavity.)
8. Vinegar (Chemical Formula: CH 3 COOH (Ethanoic Acid/Acetic Acid) - used as a
preservative, seasoning and for cleaning purposes)
9. Alcohol (Chemical Formula: CH 3 CH 2 OH (Ethanol) - Alcohol is an addictive
psychoactive drug, widely used amongst adults and teenagers to get high; used in
the manufacturing of beer, whiskey, wines and also used as an antiseptic in medical
wipes and hand sanitizers.)
10. Aspirin (Chemical Formula: C 9 H 8 O 4 (Acetylsalicylic acid) - used to treat pain,
fever, and inflammations)

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