Chemistry notes

The periodic table

Elements are building blocks of all other substances. All substances are made up of atoms.
Elements are made up of one type of atom. Compounds contain two or more types of atoms.
Hydrogen is element. Water is compound. Compounds are produced when elements
combine. Atoms in compound are bonded. Total mass of reactants = total mass of products –
conservation of mass. Reactions that produce gas may appear to have loss in mass because
the gas has left the flask
Metal and non metals have different physical properties. Metals are on left and centre. Non
metal mostly on right. Metalloids in between.
Metal properties molecule is group of atoms bonded together. Non metals join into small
groups to form molecule.
3 subatomic particles
Proton – positive charge
Electron – negative charge
Neutron – no charge
Each element has mass number (no. of protons neutrons) and proton no. (number of proton)
Elements in the same group have the same number of electrons in their outer shell and
therefore similar properties. Elements are arranged in order of increasing proton number.

Alkali Metals
They are soft, reactive metals, react vigorously with water and become more reactive as you
go down the group. Alkali metals are elements found in group 1. They are very reactive so
they must be stored under oil to avoid contact with air/water.
Properties
- have low melting and boiling points
- very soft
- have low densities compared to the typical metals
- react quickly with water, producing hydroxides and hydrogen gas
- their hydroxides and oxides dissolve quickly in water to form alkaline solution

Alkali metal + water  metal hydroxide + hydrogen

 Reactivity series – potassium sodium calcium magnesium aluminium zinc iron tin lead
copper silver gold platinum
Pond slime can make a zoo interesting – the long crinkly sort goes purple
As you go down the group, the atomic number of the alkali metals increases, and their
properties change:
 their melting points decrease
 their densities increase
 they become softer
 they become more reactive
Reactions of lithium, sodium and potassium with water
The hydroxides formed in all these reactions dissolve in the water to form alkaline solutions.
These turn universal indicator purple - showing that the pH is more than 7
Word and symbol equations
Describing a reaction:
- signs: fizzing or effervescing, gas release, temperature increase
Symbol equation
Copper oxide + sulphuric acid  copper sulphate + water
CuO + H2SO4  CuSO4 + H2O
Magnesium + sulphuric acid  magnesium sulphate + hydrogen
Mg + H2SO4  MgSO4 + H2
Balanced –
Iron + hydrochloric acid  iron chloride + hydrogen
Fe + 2HCl2  FeC2l + H2
Reacting metals
Metal + acid  salt + hydrogen
Magnesium + hydrochloric acid  magnesium chloride + hydrogen