The Periodic Table — Drills · Grade 11 Science
Chapter: Atoms, Electrons & PeriodicityWhat these drills covers
By the end of The Periodic Table you should be able to:
- I can explain how the periodic table is organized by atomic number into periods, groups, and s/p/d/f blocks.
- I can connect an element's position to its electron configuration and valence electrons.
- I can classify elements as metals, nonmetals, or metalloids and name the major families.
6 questions, multiple choice, numeric and written answer, each with a worked explanation.
Vocabulary used: period, group (family), block (s, p, d, f), metal, nonmetal, metalloid, transition metals, noble gases.
Problem 1
- family
- block
- group
- period
Answer and explanation
period
Horizontal rows are periods; vertical columns are groups.
Problem 2
- noble gases
- transition metals
- alkali metals
- halogens
Answer and explanation
noble gases
Group 18 is the noble gases, unreactive because their valence shells are already full.
Problem 3
Answer and explanation
4
For main-group elements, valence electrons = group number − 10 = 14 − 10 = 4.
Problem 4
- f-block
- s-block
- p-block
- d-block
Answer and explanation
s-block
Groups 1–2 are the s-block, where an s sublevel is being filled.
Problem 5
Answer and explanation
Noble gases have full outer electron shells (eight valence electrons, or two for helium). A full valence shell is very stable, so they have little tendency to gain, lose, or share electrons, which makes them almost completely unreactive.
Problem 6
- Period 5, Group 17, a noble gas
- Period 7, Group 4, a metal
- Period 4, Group 17, a halogen
- Period 4, Group 7, a transition metal
Answer and explanation
Period 4, Group 17, a halogen
Highest level n = 4 → Period 4; valence electrons 4 s² 4p⁵ = 7 → Group 17, a halogen (this is bromine).