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Atoms and atomic structure

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The periodic table

There are more than 100 different elements. The periodic table is a chart showing all the elements arranged in a particular way. The vertical columns in the periodic table are called groups. Each group contains elements that have similar properties.

Group 1 - alkali metals, group 7 - halogens, group 0 - noble gases. Transition metals are between group 2 and 3.

The modern periodic table

The periodic table has eight main groups. For example, group 1 contains very reactive metals such as sodium - Na - while group 7 contains very reactive non-metals such as chlorine - Cl.

Note that you will never find a compound in the periodic table, because these consist of two or more different elements joined together by chemical bonds.

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