Elements and Periodic Table Notes

* Notes

- There are currently 118 known elements. Atomic numbers 1 through 98
  occur naturally. Elements with atomic numbers 99 and higher have
  only been produced artificially.

- In general, elements with low atomic numbers occur more commonly in
  nature than elements with higher numbers. However, odd-numbered
  elements are usually less common than nearby even-numbered
  elements.

- Elements are arranged in the periodic chart by ascending atomic
  number.

- Elements with nearby atomic numbers sometimes share some chemical
  properties, but elements share many other chemical properties that
  skip several atomic numbers, recurring PERIODICALLY through the
  list of elements.

- The periodic table is constructed to show both increasing atomic
  number and groups of elements with similar chmical properties. 18
  groups of chemically similar elements are shown as columns. Rows of
  the table show periods, or sequences of elements by increaing
  atomic number.

- Besides the 18 groups, elements are sometime categorized based on
  other similarities.

  + Alkali metals
  + Rare earth metals
  + Metals
  + Metalloids
  + Nonmetals
  + Halogens
  + Noble gases

* Supplemental

- The periodic chart was developed by several scientist from
  different countries. Primary credit is given to Mendeleev of Russia
  because his chart published in ____ had the most detail and was
  used to accurately predict the existence of several previously
  unknown elements.

- A similar periodic chart to Mendleev's was published at about the
  same time by the German chemist Julius Lothar von Meyer.

- The last four elements discovered since 2003, Uut, Uup, Uus, and
  Uuo, are still pending verification. Their current names are
  temporary. Formal names will be assigned after the discovery of
  each is verified.

- Element Uut was discovered at about the same time by separate teams
  working in Japan and Russia. If the Japanese team's work is
  determined to be more valid, they will be allowed to propose a
  formal name for the element. One possible name is Japanium to honor
  the country wherethe eklement was discovered.

* Quiz

Take the following quizzes on PC Lixi terminal (Ubuntu).

** Memorize the symbols of common elements

   - Command: :: quiz genso kigou
   - Instructions: :: Enter symbol (case insensitive) for each
     element displayed.
   - Goal: :: 80%

** Memorize the first ten elements

   - Command: :: quiz bangou kigou
   - Instructions: :: Enter symbol (case insensitive) for the
     element with the number displayed.
   - Goal: :: 100%