Why is the periodic table such a useful tool?

Answer 1

By grouping the elements according to atomic structure, the Periodic Table indicates which elements are likely to have similar properties, or similar reactions with other elements and compounds. The three subdivisions of the Table are :

• Groups : The vertical columns include elements with similar chemical properties e.g. alkali metals.
• Periods : The horizontal rows include elements with the same number of electron shells (energy levels).
• Blocks : Adjacent groups of elements where the same subshell contains the last electron.

Answer 2

The Periodic Table is a useful tool because it contains names of elements in an organized way and in accordance with their properties. If a person wishes to find out about the characteristics of a specific element, all he or she has to do is look at its position on the periodic table.

Answer 3

It groups the elements into areas where they will have somewhat similar characteristics. The columns tell you how many "free" electrons there are - which lets you know how reactive the element will be and what it's likely to react with. The rows let you know the size of the element. The larger it is, the less stable it's likely to be and the heavier it will be. Notice Gold is near the bottom and Aluminum near the top?

The column on the far right side are usually not reactive because they have no "free" electrons. The ones on the left usually react with the ones on the right (minus the last column because they've got no free electrons). The big group in the middle are fairly normal metals. The two rows apart from the others are usually radioactive and unstable.

There's a lot more to it, but this isn't a scientific explanation, just putting it in layman's terms. !

Answer 4

A periodic table allows you to easily compare the properties of one element (or a group of elements) to another element (or group of elements)

Answer 5

Its used mainly to shorten scientific equations

Answer 6

It arranges elements with similar properties into columns.

Answer 7

The periodic table is useful because it tells you what the elements name is, chemical symbol, Atomic Mass, and atomic number.