Chemistry Music Video 15: Elemental Funkiness

This song outlines the properties of the elements in Groups 1, 2, 3-12, 17 and 18. Music and lyrics copyright 2005 by Mark Rosengarten. All rights reserved. Lyrics: In 1869, Dmitri Mendeleev could see That properties of elements vary periodically As atomic number increases, the properties repeat In a soothing rhythmic pattern that can form a funky beat The elements we know about, they number one-fourteen Some in quantities so small that theyve never been seen Most are common elements that are far and wide dispersed But all of them together make up all the universe Elements in Group 1 are called the alkalis They explode in water, and are of very tiny size They love to lose electrons when they form a bond Of these reactive atoms, I can say Im rather fond! Group 2 elements are often called alkaline earth Calciums been building bones since well before your birth They form nice +2 ions and are generally quite fun Though theyre not quite as reactive as the metals in Group 1 Since 1869, every one of us could see That properties of elements vary periodically As atomic number increases, the properties repeat In a soothing rhythmic pattern that can form a funky beat Metals in groups 3-12? Transition elements! Some of them are lightweight, and others really dense Things they have in common, they form charges, two or more And some form colored compounds, which is something we adore! If you want an element, just tell me once again If its in Group 17, youve got a halogen! Nonmetals so corrosive, theyre not found in their pure state They can gain electrons like theyre going out of date! Got one for you in Group 18, and its known as Noble Gas If youre looking for an element that just sits there on its %&@ If you wonder why and havent figured it out yet Their valence configuration is a big stable octet! So now it should be obvious that everyone should see That properties of elements vary periodically As atomic number increases, the properties repeat In a soothing rhythmic pattern that can form a funky beat