The 100+ existing elements are organized into groups (columns) and periods (rows) of a table known as the Periodic Table. The familiar looking shape of the table is based upon a number of observations about the patterns in the properties and behavior of elements. One pattern is that melting points and boiling points tend to increase as one proceeds from element to element down a group. In one group - the halogen group - one observes elements that are gases (near top), liquids (more in the middle), and solids (near bottom). Many Periodic Tables will color code the elements based on their solid, liquid, and gas nature.
As you continue in your study of chemistry, you will gain a greater familiarity with the elements and their properties. One oddity of seven of the elements is that they exist as diatomic molecules (not single atoms) when found in nature by themselves (not in compounds). Those seven elements are hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and fluorine.
Learn more about these ideas in the How to Think About This Situation section below.
Name That Element - Questions 12 Help
There are two similar questions in this Question Group. Each time one of the versions appears, the answer options are presented in a scrambled order. One of the two questions is shown below.
Version 1:
I am a Group 15 element. I am a gas at room temperature. And I am most commonly found as a diatomic molecule. Who am I?
Antimony (Sb)
Arsenic (As)
Astatine (At)
Bismuth (Bi)
Bromine (Br)
Chlorine (Cl)
Nitrogen (N)
Oxygen (O)
Phosphorus (P)