Each of these little squares tells us about one specific element. The Periodic Table The Periodic Table gives us SO much information about the world around us, but first you have to know how to read it! Each of these little squares tells us about one specific element. Reminder!: An Element is a pure substance made of all the same type of atom!

This is what the square for Boron looks like. An Element B Boron 10.811 amu 5 Where an element is on the table can give you a lot of information about it. We are going to look at what information you can find out from each element’s square on the Periodic Table. This is what the square for Boron looks like.

B An Element 5 Boron Find Boron on your periodic table. A basic periodic table will give you these four pieces of information about each element. We will go over each one and what they mean. B Boron 10.811 amu 5

B Atomic Number 5 Boron This is the Atomic Number for Boron. The atomic number tells you how many protons and electrons an atom of Boron has. (So Boron has 5 protons and 5 electrons). The elements are also arranged on the Periodic Table so that the atomic numbers go in order. B Boron 10.811 amu 5 Reminder!: Protons are in the nucleus of the atom and Electrons circle outside. Protons carry a positive charge. Electrons carry a negative charge.

B Chemical Symbol 5 Boron This is the Chemical Symbol for Boron. The chemical symbol is the same no matter what language you read the table in. Every element has a unique chemical symbol. The first letter is always capitalized. If there is a second letter, it is always lowercase. B Boron 10.811 amu 5

B Chemical Name 5 Boron This is the Chemical Name. The chemical name may be different for a scientist viewing the table in a different language. B Boron 10.811 amu 5

B Atomic Mass 5 Boron This is the Atomic Mass of Boron. Atomic mass is measured in Atomic Mass Units (amu’s). It is the sum of the mass of all of the protons, neutrons, and electrons in one atom of Boron. B Boron 10.811 amu 5

Atomic Mass (continued) Electrons have very little mass. So little that they barely register in the atomic mass. For this reason, the atomic mass really only measures the mass of the protons + the neutrons. B Boron 10.811 amu 5

Atomic Mass (continued) Protons and Neutrons each weigh about 1 amu. Because they weight 1 amu and we know how many protons each atom has – it is easy to figure out how many neutrons each atom has. B Boron 10.811 amu 5 Reminder!: The Atomic Number tells you how many protons each atom has. Do you remember where the atomic number is?

B Neutrons 5 Boron To find the number of neutrons: 1st – Round off the atomic mass to the nearest whole number 10.811 rounds to 11 2nd – Subtract the number of protons (the atomic number) from your new atomic mass 11 – 5 = 6 The answer is the number of neutrons the atom has! B Boron 10.811 amu 5

F Neutron Practice 9 Fluorine Let’s practice on a new element! What is the atomic number for Fluorine? What is the atomic mass of Fluorine? What would you round the atomic mass too? __________ - ___________ = _________ (rounded atomic mass ) (atomic number) (neutrons) How many neutrons does Fluorine have? F Fluorine 18.998404 amu 9