Question

Write the name of five metals, their symbols and their atomic masses.

Answer 1

Hint: We have a periodic table in which elements are arranged systematically so that their properties can be found out or deduced based on their position in the periodic table.

Complete step by step answer:
In the modern periodic table, elements are arranged based on their atomic number which we can define to be equal to the number of protons ( p ) present in an atom of the element. It is represented by the symbol Z. So, we can write Z = p.
When the number of protons is added to the number of neutrons ( n ), we get the atomic mass number of the element. It is represented by the symbol A. So, we can write A = p + n.
Every element has been assigned a unique symbol which we can look up in the periodic table. For example, hydrogen has a symbol of H, atomic number of Z = 1 and atomic mass number of A = 1 as well.
The mass of an atom of a given element relative to that of C - 12 is known as its atomic mass and has the units of ‘u’ or unified mass.
From the trends in the periodic table, it has been established that metallic character decreases as we move from left to right which comes from electropositive and electronegative nature of the elements. So, the elements at the left side of the periodic table which are electropositive are metallic in nature, those on the right which are electronegative are mostly nonmetals and there are some metalloids in between. The examples include calcium and iron that of metals, chlorine and carbon that of non-metals and silicon and arsenic that of metalloids.
From these, we can take five examples of metals and write their symbols as follows:
1) Magnesium: It has a symbol of Mg. Its atomic mass is 24.305 u.
2) Calcium: It has a symbol of Ca. Its atomic mass is 40.078 u.
3) Chromium: It has a symbol of Cr. Its atomic mass is 51.9961 u.
4) Iron: It has a symbol of Fe. Its atomic mass is 55.845 u.
5) Zinc: It has a symbol of Zn. Its atomic mass is 65.38 u.

Note: We have to be careful with mass number and atomic mass as mass number is a whole number with no units but atomic mass is a relative and average weight which is usually expressed in decimals and has units.