Science Common Sense

1503 - What are the properties that elements can be classified by?

Elements can be classified by these six main properties:

1. Atomic Number: The number of protons in an atom's nucleus (center).
2. Atomic Mass: The total number of protons and neutrons in an atom's nucleus.
3. Metal, Nonmetal, or Metalloid: Elements can be classified as metals (good conductors, shiny), nonmetals (poor conductors, not shiny), or metalloids (somewhere in between).
4. Phase at Room Temperature: Elements can be solids, liquids, or gases at room temperature.
5. Chemical Properties: How elements react with other elements and substances (e.g., flammable, explosive).
6. Physical State in the Periodic Table Groups: Elements in the same group (vertical column) of the Periodic Table often have similar properties.