Entry 3

Aloha! :)

Today i learned more about elements! I would like to share with you all an interesting fact: apparently, graphite and carbon are non-metals that have the ability to conduct heat! Isn't that so cool? At least i think so :P

Alright, moving on to some theory of this chapter. There are some definitions that are important to memorize and know well especially for my examinations in school.

The two words that are important...
1. Malleable
Pure metal is soft. Hence it is able to be bent, metals are known to be very rigid and hard (unable to be bent so effortlessly). However, that only happens when other mixtures are mixed together with pure metal, making it so hard and strong.

The second one:

2. Ductile
This means that the pure metal can be drawn out into a thin wire.

*The density for metal is also high as its atoms are closely packed*

Now for an analogy: 

The picture above are paper clips joint together to form a shape. This is considered as an element.

This picture above is a paper clip that is on its own is known as an atom. An atom is the smallest that an element can go to and still be functional. This paper clip for example can still be broken down into smaller pieces, however, that does not mean that it is still functional.

Definition of an element and atom

• An element is a substance made up of one type of atom. 
• An atom is the smallest particle of an element that retain the chemical properties of that element.

An atom of element A is different from an atom of element B, this is a very important concept that has to be known. 

Difference between an atom and molecule

• An atom is the smallest particle of an element that retain the chemical properties of that element. 
• A molecule is a group of two or more atoms that are chemically combined (joined together).

Atoms that have the stable configuration are labelled noble gases or also under the group VIII in the periodic table. 

The periodic table 

The metals and non-metals in the periodic table are separated.

 This picture shows the features of the periodic table.

The periodic table consists of 7 periods of elements (shown by the different colours), numbered 1 to 7. Each element in a period has a proton number which is one less than the element after it. It is arranged in increasing atomic masses.

The periodic Table has 8 groups of elements, numbered from I, II etc to 0. They run vertically from top to bottom.

I also learnt about metalloids, metals and non-metals. They exhibit both metallic & non-metallic properties/ characteristics. Example: silicon as chemical properties similar to non-metals but exhibit properties such as electrical conductivity like metals.

Alright, that's all for today! Tomorrow i will be having hands-on experiment/lab lessons, its going to be so exciting! :))