The Alien Periodic Table Challenge

Home , Alkali metal, Group (periodic table), Metalloid

Name:______Pd:______THE ALIEN PERIODIC TABLE CHALLENGE

Earth scientists have made radio contact with intelligent life on a distant planet called Chykogon. One of this alien planet’s languages is being translated, and scientific information has begun to be exchanged!! Chykogon seems to be composed of many of the same elements as are found on Earth, but the inhabitants of the planet (called Chykogonians) have different names and symbols for the elements. The alien scientists do not know our names for the elements or how to classify them, but they have sent a transmission with data on the known chemical and physical properties of 30 elements. Strangely, but luckily, there are no transition or rare earth elements on the alien planet, which means their periodic table only shows the elements in Groups 1-2, 13-18. As a scientist who has been studying about chemistry, you have been asked to help sort out what is known about the alien elements and to arrange them onto a blank periodic table. Once this table is organized, scientists on both planets will understand each other better and will be able to work to share scientific information and make new discoveries.

PROCEDURE 1. Examine the data from the Chykogonian transmission that describe the chemical and physical properties of the 30 elements. 2. Place the elements in their proper position on the blank periodic table. 3. Complete the summary questions and challenge.

DATA 1. The noble gases are Bombal (Bo), Wobble (Wo), Jeptum (J), and Logon (L). Among these gases, Wobble has the greatest atomic mass. Bombal has only 2 valence electrons. Logon is lighter than Jeptum. 2. The alkali metals are Xtalt (X), Byyou (By), Chow (Ch), and Quackzil (Q). Of these metals, Chow has the lowest atomic mass. Quackzil is in the same period as Wobble. 3. Apstrom (A), Vulcania (V), and Kratt (Kt) are nonmetals whose atoms typically need to gain or share one electron in order to reach a full outer energy level of 8 electrons. Vulcania is in the same period as Quackzil and Wobble. 4. The metalloids (noted by a * on your table) are Ernst (E), Highho (Hi), Terriblum (T), and Sississ (Ss). Sissis is the metalloid with the greatest atomic mass. Ernst is the metalloid with the lowest atomic mass. Highho and Terriblum are in Group 14. Terriblum has more protons than Highho. Yazzer (Yz) touches the zigzag line, but it’s a metal, not a metalloid. 5. The lightest element of all is called Pfsst (Pf). The heaviest element in the group of 30 elements is Eldorado (El). Name:______Pd:______

6. The chemical makeup of the alien planet’s oceans seems to be about the same as Earth’s oceans. When sea water is distilled, the liquid that is boiled off and then condensed has been shown to have molecules consisting of two atoms of Pfsst (Pf) and one atom of Nuutye (Nu). The solid left behind after distillation consists mainly of a crystal made up of the elements Byyou (By) and Kratt (Kt). 7. The element Doggone (D) has only 4 protons in its atom. 8. Floxxit (Fx) is a black crystal and has 4 electrons in its outermost energy level. It is known to make very valuable jewels that Earth women adore and is the major component of a fuel burned for energy on Earth. 9. Rhaatrap (R) and Doadeer (Do) are metals in the fourth period, but Rhaatrap has more electrons than Doadeer. 10. Magnificon (M), Goldy (G), and Sissis are all members of Group 15. Goldy has fewer total electrons than Magnificon. 11. Urrp (Up), Oz (Oz), and Nuutye (Nu) all gain 2 electrons when they react. Nuutye has the same properties as a gas found in Earth’s atmosphere. Oz has a lower atomic number than Urrp. 12. The element Anatom (An) has atoms with a total of 49 electrons. 13. Zapper (Z) and Pie (Pi) lose two electrons when the react. Zapper loses them from its third energy level while Pie loses them from its 5th.

SUMMARY 1. The list below is of the first 30 elements. Put the Chykogon names of the elements in the box that corresponds to the earth element.

Earth Chykogon Earth Chykogon Hydrogen Sulfur Helium Chlorine Lithium Argon Beryllium Potassium Boron Calcium Carbon Gallium Nitrogen Germanium Oxygen Arsenic Fluorine Selenium Neon Bromine Sodium Krypton Magnesium Rubidium Aluminum Strontium Silicon Indium Phosphorus Tin

Name:______Pd:______2. Were you able to place some elements on the periodic table with just a single clue? Yes/No a. Give an example of how you did.

3. Why did you need multiple clues to place some elements on the table? Yes/No a. Explain your answer with an example.

4. Why could you use clues about atomic mass to place elements on the table, even though the table is based on atomic number?

5. Label the elements below with their correct group name (Alkali Metal, Alkaline Earth Metal, Nobel Gas, and Halogen). a. Chow = ______b. Zapper = ______c. Vulcania = ______d. Jeptum = ______

6. Which alien metal would be the most reactive? (look back to the reading on Groups of the Periodic Table for help).

7. Which alien nonmetal would be the most reactive? (look back to the reading on Groups of the Periodic Table for help).

Going Further 1. Notice that Period 5 is incomplete on the alien periodic table. Create names and symbols for each of the missing elements and place the names and symbols on the table. Then compose a series of clues that would allow another student to identify these elements. Make your clues as precise as possible. a.