Year 8 Science · Unit 2 · Lesson 15

Comparing Elements Using the Periodic Table

Foundation Worksheet

Name
Date
Class

Learning Goals

Match each element to its property and use

Draw a line connecting each element on the left to its correct property/use on the right. Or write the matching letter next to each element.

ElementYour answerProperty / Use
Copper (Cu) A. Very light gas that does not react; used in party balloons because it is less dense than air
Helium (He) B. Metalloid semiconductor; used in computer chips and solar panels
Chlorine (Cl) C. Ductile metal that conducts electricity extremely well; used in household wiring
Silicon (Si) D. Lightweight metal; used in aircraft frames and drink cans
Aluminium (Al) E. Reactive halogen non-metal; added to drinking water to kill harmful bacteria
Carbon, diamond (C) F. Hardest naturally occurring substance; used in drill bits and cutting tools

Sort it!

Write each element from the pool into the correct category box below. Use what you know about metals, non-metals and metalloids from the periodic table.

H (Hydrogen) Fe (Iron) Cl (Chlorine) He (Helium) Na (Sodium) Si (Silicon) O (Oxygen) Cu (Copper) Au (Gold) Br (Bromine)

Would conduct electricity well

Would NOT conduct electricity

Might conduct electricity (semiconductor)

1. Name two features from the periodic table that tell you whether an element is a metal or a non-metal, and give one example of each.

Recall 2 marks

2. Explain why helium is used in balloons instead of hydrogen, using the category and group position of each element.

Recall 2 marks

Wrap Up

In one sentence, what was the main idea of this lesson?