1. Using the Periodic Table to Learn about Atoms
Protons, neutrons, and electrons

2. The Basics of the Periodic Table
The rows of elements are called periods (7)
The bottom two rows are really part of the upper part of the table but have been moved to make the table fit on the page
The columns of elements are called
groups or families (18)

3. Chemical symbols
Each element has a symbol made up of 1 or 2 letters that is used to represent the element
The first letter of the symbol is always capitalized
The second letter of the symbol is NEVER capitalized!
Example: CO (carbon monoxide) versus Co (cobalt)

4. Atomic Number The elements are arranged by their atomic number
This number is usually above the chemical symbol
The atomic number refers to the number of protons in the atoms

5. Mass number or atomic mass
The mass number is usually written below the chemical symbol
The mass number is the mass of the atom
Protons and neutrons have a significant mass but electrons do not
The mass number can be used to find the number of neutrons
Mass # - Atomic # = # of neutrons

6. Number of electrons
Atoms are considered to be neutral (they have no charge)
In order to have a zero charge, the number of positive charges (protons) must equal the number of negative charges (electrons)
To find the number of electrons, just use the number of protons!
Protons = Electrons