The Periodic Law states that properties of the elements vary in a regularly repeating fashion with the atomic numbers. We will be investigating these patterns by graphing various properties of the elements.

Each person will graph one of the following properties of the elements:
 

boiling point	melting point	density
atomic volume	first ionization potential	atomic radius
most stable oxidation state	covalent radius	specific heat
electronegativity	heat of vaporization	heat of fusion
electrical conductivity	thermal conductivity

If you are on-line, you can obtain a table of all this data and more by clicking here.

• Use landscape orientation.  Atomic number should be on the x-axis; count by two's.
• Include a title section on your graph, with all the usual title stuff.
• Find the best scale to fill your y-axis.  Check the range of values you will be graphing first - if the range is TOO big, you can graph the logarithm of the property (use your calculator).  You may have to include negative numbers.
• Your graph should fill the page.
• Label the axes (name and units of measurement).
• Make sure the axes' scales are consistent.
• Connect the points for elements in the same period. You could also draw a vertical line at each noble gas, extending from the x-axis to the top of the page, or use colors, or surprise me.  Make each period's elements separate and obvious.
• In a blank area of the graph, write a clear definition of the property you are graphing.
• Each person will make a graph of one trend, by hand.  No computer generated graphs will be accepted.
• The graph should be neat!
• For a more complete set of hints, click here.

Possible alternate properties (by instructor permission only): years since discovery, half-life of most stable isotope, half-life of least stable isotope, neutron:proton ratio, number of letters in the name, etc

[Score Sheet][MHS Chem page]