Ks3 The Periodic Table Key Words

Periodic table

Acid

Corrosive substance which has a pH lower than 7. Acidity is caused by a high concentration of hydrogen ions.

Alkali

A base which is soluble in water.

Alkali Metals

The first vertical column of elements in the periodic table, starting with lithium and ending with francium. Also called group 1.

Atom

The smallest particle of an element that can exist.

Element

What all substances are made up of, and which contain only one type of atom.

Halogens

Elements found in group 7 of the periodic table.

Metals

Shiny element that is a good conductor of electricity and heat, and which forms basic oxides.

Noble Gases

The vertical column of non-metal elements on the far right of the periodic table, also called group 0.

Non-Metals

Element that is a poor conductor of electricity and heat, and which forms acidic oxides.

Periodic Table

A tabular representation of all known elements in order based on atomic number, eg all the noble gases are found on the right of the periodic table.

Transition Metal

A metal that is located in between groups 2 and 3 of the periodic table and has coloured compounds.

Period

A horizontal row in the periodic table.

Group

A vertical column in the periodic table containing elements with similar chemical properties.