The rows (or periods) tell you broadly how many electrons are in the energy levels (or shells) of elements. To the left of them in group 17 are the halogens which are still greatly different in size but are very reactive now still thanks to their valance electrons. So for example on the far right in group 18 are the noble gases which, while greatly different in size, all are common in that they are very unreactive. There are specific reasons why it's shaped the way it is.Įlements which occupy the same column (or group) have the similar reactivities based on how many valance electrons they have. Not a stupid question at all, a very good one because some people might think the periodic table is arbitrarily shaped the way it is. They attract because opposite charges of similar magnitude attract one another. And the number of electrons is typically dictated by the number of protons, because protons have a nearly equal positive charge, in comparison to the aforementioned electrons. Much of these behaviors are due to the number of electrons (negatively charged particles).
And again, if you were to break an atom apart into its electrons, protons and neutrons, those building blocks would no-longer exhibit the behavior and properties that they exhibited as a combined mass.
Indeed the heavier elements were created in the supernovas of dying stars (we're all made of star dust! how special!) Anyways what conceptually separates an atom from the subatomic particles which comprise it is the fact that when these individual particle come together they assume properties that the particles would lack alone. An atom is a conglomeration of subatomic particles that were fused together under extreme heats and pressures many millions/ billions of years ago.
0 kommentar(er)
