Periodic Table of Elements Wilcard and Snap Card Games KS3

A great way to consolidate learning on the periodic table of elements for middle school students with this pack of cards which can be used to play two games – wildcard and snap. So much fun, students don’t even realise they are learning!

The game can be played with or without the students being given a copy of the enclosed periodic table.

Prior Knowledge Required

• Elements are arranged in the periodic table in order of atomic number.
• Metals are on the left of the table and non – metals on the right with a zig – zag line dividing the two.
• Some of the metals touching the zig – zag are semi – metals or metalloids which means they have some properties of metals and of non – metals.
• Vertical columns are called groups and horizontal rows are called periods.
• Each period starts with metals on the left and end with non – metals on the right.
• The elements within each group have similar physical and chemical properties.
• Group 1 are the alkali metals. Group 2 are the alkaline earth metals. Group 7 are the halogens. Group 0 are the rare or noble gases. The central block are the transition metals.
• On the left – hand side of the table, reactivity increases as you go down a group and on the right – hand side of the table reactivity increases as you go up a group.
• Group 1: can be cut with a knife; must be stored under oil; low density – lithium, sodium and potassium float on water; form compounds which are solid at room temperature; form compounds with similar formulae – LiCl. NaCl. Group 7; are all colored; react with hydrogen to form acids; react with metals to form salts.
• Alkali metal + water  alkali metal hydroxide + hydrogen
• lithium + water  lithium hydroxide + hydrogen
• Group 0 are all inert gases – they do not react with other elements
• Transition metals; except for mercury, which is a liquid, these are harder than group 1 metals; have high melting points; react slowly with atmospheric oxygen.

What You Get

• 90 playing cards
• Animated PowerPoint with instructions for playing wildcard and snap