ATAR Notes: Forum

VCE Stuff => VCE Science => VCE Mathematics/Science/Technology => VCE Subjects + Help => VCE Chemistry => Topic started by: PopcornTime on December 25, 2017, 03:28:58 pm

Title: Best way to learn periodic table trends?
Post by: PopcornTime on December 25, 2017, 03:28:58 pm

Is there a simple way to learn the trends on the periodic table. Does anyone know of any mnemonics?

Thanks and merry Christmas!

Title: Re: Best way to learn periodic table trends?
Post by: Sine on December 25, 2017, 03:33:22 pm

imo don't try to have a shortcut into memorising them make sure that you understand the trends (not only that you know explicitly what the trend is). If someone asks you what is the trend for electronegativity along groups (i.e. left to right of the periodic table) you should be able to state the trend but also additionally be able to tell them why this trend occurs. So learn it from first principles that way you can always "derive" or think yourself through to the answer if you have a brain fade on what you memorised since memories aren't perfect.

Title: Re: Best way to learn periodic table trends?
Post by: Sine on December 25, 2017, 03:45:45 pm

Quote from: TheSapaInca on December 25, 2017, 03:41:56 pm

I remembered the first 30 for my Year 8 exam this year and I would first like to say that the "Periodic Table Song" is not going to help. Unless you are good at remembering lyrics. But all I did was print out a big sheet of the first 30 elements are read it bits by bits, saying that out loud; hydrogen, helium, beryllium.... until you forget and look at the sheet and then do it again. It might not work for you but it worked for me.

I think the user was reffering to trends to elements (although I may be wrong)

Anyway for anyone reading this you definitely don't need to memorise the periodic table (or any of it ) for vce chemistry, it's on the 3rd page of the databooklet! :)

Title: Re: Best way to learn periodic table trends?
Post by: TheSapaInca on December 25, 2017, 03:51:52 pm

Quote from: Sine on December 25, 2017, 03:45:45 pm

I think the user was reffering to trends to elements (although I may be wrong)

Anyway for anyone reading this you definitely don't need to memorise the periodic table (or any of it ) for vce chemistry, it's on the 3rd page of the databooklet! :)

I deleted that comment because I made a huge mistake .. xD It's actually hydrogen, helium, lithium,, beryllium. I left out lithium lOL

Title: Re: Best way to learn periodic table trends?
Post by: Sine on December 25, 2017, 03:58:25 pm

Quote from: TheSapaInca on December 25, 2017, 03:51:52 pm

I deleted that comment because I made a huge mistake .. xD It's actually hydrogen, helium, lithium,, beryllium. I left out lithium lOL

off topic

You can modify a post if you wish. The "modify" button is located between the "quote" and "remove" functions

Title: Re: Best way to learn periodic table trends?
Post by: Yertle the Turtle on December 25, 2017, 04:12:58 pm

As Sine says, it is not merely knowing the trends that is important. The only way to do well at chemistry is to know how and why things happen. The point is, a lot of chemistry is understanding how results are gained, and therefore you need to look into the structure of the atom to find the reasons for the trends, such as the numbers of valence electrons, the different types of bonding etc.

Just make sure that you are not simply rote learning, that is not going to help you in Chemistry! Good luck!

Title: Re: Best way to learn periodic table trends?
Post by: Bri MT on December 26, 2017, 09:07:55 am

As Sine has said, you should be able to derive these rules. Focus on understanding why these trends occur and then you won't need to rote learn.

Try to think more in terms of:
increased electronegativity -> more valence electrons ->  towards the right of the periodic table
Rather than cutting out the middle step and losing understanding