Question

Cracking the periodic table code why aren't the elements listed in alphabetical order answer key

Answer 1

They could be arranged in alphabetical order but that wouldn't tell you much about their chemistry. In the periodic table, the elements are arranged according to their atomic number. Notice how the atomic number increases as you move across the table. Normally, the higher the atomic number, the heavier the element. So lead (Pb), atomic number 82 is heavier than tin (Sn) atomic number 50.

Answer 2

The elements in the periodice table are not listed in alphabetical order, because the arragement in rows (periods) and columns (groups or familes), in increasing order of atomic number (number of protons of the atoms) permits to explain similarities among the elements, trend in some properties, and even predict properties of unknown elements.

For example, the elements of the first group (family), called alkaline metals, all have 1 valence electron, have similar physical properties (ductibility, malleability, luster, thermal and electricity conductivity), react in similar way with water, show a trend in the atomic radii and in the ionization energy.

You can tell similar stories for other groups like, alkalyne earth metals, halogens and noble gases.

You can also tell trends in electroneativities, and atomic radii, for a row of elements, as per the order they are in the row.

So, the current array resulted very helpul for chemists to explain and predict the behavior and properties of the elements.