Making Predictions

Objectives

In this lesson, students will compare differences present throughout the periodic table in chemical and physical properties of atoms. These differences will be used to predict other characteristics of atoms. Students will:

explore trends present throughout the periodic table.
identify differences in the size of atoms.
identify varying levels of ionization energy and electronegativity in atoms.
compare and contrast varying boiling and melting points of elements.
predict properties of elements based on their location in the periodic table.

Essential Questions

Vocabulary

Trend: A general course, direction, or tendency.
Boiling Point: The temperature at which a liquid changes to a vapor (gas).
Melting Point: The temperature at which a solid changes to a liquid.
Atomic Radius: A measure of the size of an atom. Typically half the distance between two nuclei.
Electronegativity: The tendency for an atom in a molecule to attract electrons to itself.
Ionization Energy: The amount of energy required to remove an electron from an atom.

Duration

60–120 minutes/1–2 class periods

Prerequisite Skills

Prerequisite Skills haven't been entered into the lesson plan.

Materials

Periodic Table Trends presentation (S-C-5-3_Periodic Table Trends PPT.pptx and S-C-5-3_Periodic Table Trends PDF.pdf)
Periodic Trends Worksheet (S-C-5-3_Periodic Trends Worksheet and KEY.doc)
Blank Periodic Table (S-C-5_Blank Periodic Table.pdf)

Related Unit and Lesson Plans

Related Materials & Resources

The possible inclusion of commercial websites below is not an implied endorsement of their products, which are not free, and are not required for this lesson plan.

Blank Periodic Table
http://chemistry.about.com/od/periodictables/ig/Printable-Periodic-Tables/Blank-Periodic-Table.htm

Periodic Trends Worksheet
http://www.gpb.org/files/pdfs/gpbclassroom/chemistry/periodicTableTrendsWkst.pdf

Formative Assessment

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- Monitor students during the Periodic Trends presentation to assess general understanding of the material and keep students on task.
- Collect the Periodic Trends Worksheet for individual assessment.

Suggested Instructional Supports

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Scaffolding, Active Engagement, Modeling, Explicit Instruction

W:	This lesson focuses on how the periodic table is used to predict properties of atoms based on their groups, periods, and placement within the table.
H:	Students’ interest is generated through an opportunity to see how the periodic table is able to predict properties of atoms based on their location on the periodic table.
E:	During this lesson, students participate in an introductory class discussion on trends within the periodic table, followed by a presentation on ways to predict properties of atoms by using the placement of atoms within the periodic table.
R:	Students have the opportunity to review what a trend is and how it applies to the periodic table. Students are encouraged to ask questions throughout the presentation.
E:	Students express what they have learned through interaction in lecture, taking notes during a presentation and participation/completion in the worksheet activity at the end of the lesson.
T:	The lesson is tailored to a variety of learning styles in that it progresses and builds on previous sections throughout the lesson. Each step, starting with a review, is necessary for the next topic in the lesson. Students are given a variety of opportunities to learn throughout, and supporting documents and strategies are available to students who might need extra practice as well as to students who may be going beyond the standards.
O:	Students follow a sequence of steps involving a review of trends, discuss periodic trends, and take an in-depth look into making predictions of the properties of atoms using the periodic table. A comprehensive worksheet ties the lesson together.

Instructional Procedures

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To introduce the lesson, remind students that many trends exist in the periodic table. Ask, “What trends did we learn about in the first two lessons?” Collect student responses and address any questions. Examples of student responses might include:
- Increasing atomic number.
- Increasing atomic mass.
- Groups have similar chemical properties and number of valence electrons.
- Periods have the same number of energy levels, etc.
“Today, we are going to learn about more trends in the periodic table. They are:

melting and boiling points, atomic radius, electronegativity, and ionization energy.”

Project the Periodic Table Trends PowerPoint or hand out copies of the Periodic Table Trends presentation, in Power Point or PDF format, to the students (S-C-5-3_Periodic Table Trends PPT.pptx and S-C-5-3_Periodic Table Trends PDF.pdf). Have students take notes. You will address student questions throughout the presentation. When finished, ask the following questions for review and practice in using the periodic table:
- “Which will be larger: Na or S? (Na)
- Which will be larger: Na or Rb? (Rb)
- Which will be more electronegative: Na or S? (S)
- Which will be more electronegative: Na or Rb? (Na)
- Which will have a higher ionization energy: Na or S? (S)
- Which will have a higher ionization energy: Na or Rb?” (Na)
Hand out copies of the Periodic Trends Worksheet (S-C-5-3_Periodic Trends Worksheet and KEY.doc). This worksheet can be completed in class or as homework.

Extension:
- Print a copy of the Periodic Trends presentation for students who might need an opportunity for additional learning to use as a reference throughout the lesson (S-C-5-3_Periodic Table Trends PPT.pptx and S-C-5-3_Periodic Table Trends PDF.pdf).
- For students going beyond the standards, have them research the reasoning for listing the actinide and lanthanide series metals below the main section of the periodic table. Their responses can be in essay form or through a presentation (PowerPoint, poster, etc.).
- Another activity for students who may need a more challenging opportunity is to take a blank periodic table (S-C-5_Blank Periodic Table.pdf) and create a complex periodic table, complete with the following information throughout:
o On each element: element symbols and names, atomic mass and atomic number, number of valence electrons, electron configuration, electronegativity

o On the table: group and period labels, arrows showing changing atomic radius, electronegativity, boiling point and melting point temperatures, and artificially created elements

Making Predictions

Lesson Plan