Question

Some elements are highly unstable and break apart within seconds, making them difficult to study. How can the periodic table help scientists infer the properties of these elements?

Answer 1

You can look at groups in the same group (the columns), since they tend to have similar properties. For example, the alkali metals in group one react aggressively with water and form white compounds.

Answer 2

Answer:

By checking the properties of elements with the same atomic number as the unstable elements.

Explanation:

For elements that are unstable but have known number of electrons or protons, their chemistry can be inferred from the periodic table by comparing them with elements with similar number of electrons or protons.

Elements with the same number of protons but different number of neutrons are referred to as isotopes. They usually have the similar properties except that they have different number of neutrons and hence, different atomic mass.

Since the number of proton determines the atomic number of elements, such element's properties can be inferred by checking the properties of elements with the same atomic number on the periodic table.