This is approximately the sum of the number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus. The mass of an atom relative to that of carbon-12. The transition of a substance directly from the solid to the gas phase without passing through a liquid phase.ĭensity is the mass of a substance that would fill 1 cm 3 at room temperature. The temperature at which the liquid–gas phase change occurs. The temperature at which the solid–liquid phase change occurs. The arrangements of electrons above the last (closed shell) noble gas. These blocks are named for the characteristic spectra they produce: sharp (s), principal (p), diffuse (d), and fundamental (f). The atomic number of each element increases by one, reading from left to right.Įlements are organised into blocks by the orbital type in which the outer electrons are found. Members of a group typically have similar properties and electron configurations in their outer shell.Ī horizontal row in the periodic table. One of the most famous compounds is limestone (CaCO 3).A vertical column in the periodic table. In nature, calcium is always found in compounds with other elements. You won't find calcium sitting around as a pure element. It shouldn't surprise you that calcium has a valence of 2. Those elements in the second column have two electrons ready to make compounds. They all have an outer shell with two electrons and are very reactive. Yes, calcium is defined as a metal because of both its physical and chemical traits. Those elements make up the alkali earth metal family. You will find calcium in the second column of the period table with other elements including beryllium and magnesium. So remember when you look at our breakdown that the electrons aren't always in a nice neat order as shown here. They are found in clouds that can have different shapes that include spheres and dumbbell-like shapes. As you learn more about atomic structure, you will learn that the electrons don't stay in defined areas around the nucleus. The electrons like to be in separate shells/orbitals. In an atom, the electrons spin around the center, also called the nucleus. Each of those colored balls is an electron. If you think this is a little over your head, go back and look at the elements 1-18 that have organizations that are a little more simple. Let's take a look at the arrangements of electrons in the basic elements (left and right sides of the table) of period four and the more complex arrangements of the transition elements (in the middle of the row). You may have an easy way to know the number of electrons in a neutral atom, but the placement of those electrons gets a little more complex.

Now we're working with the fourth period/row in the table of elements. It tells you the mass of one atom, how many pieces are inside, and where it should be placed on the periodic table. That box on the left has all of the information you need to know about one element.

Ca element chemistry