L5.2

What types of elements are in smartphones and how are they different from each other?¶

QUESTION: What types of elements are in smartphones and how are they different from each other?

Learning Objectives:¶

Explore differences in properties between metals, nonmetals, and metalloid elements
Explain why certain elements are used in different parts of the smartphone due to their unique properties
Distinguish the difference of atomic structure for each element by using the atomic number and mass number.
Identify isotopic nomenclature and how it relates to numbers of protons and neutrons in an atom.
Naming for compounds with transition metals

Warm-up:¶

Attendance
Open Student IMT Unit 5, make sure all lessons are complete.

IN-CLASS WORK:¶

Open L5.2 Student Sheet, make a copy and save to your drive
- Part 1: Reading in the textbook on metals, nonmetals and metalloids
- Part 2: Testing substances at the LAB benches
- Part 3: Locating elements in your smartphones on the periodic table
- Part 4: Structure of the Atom
- Part 5: Isotopes
- Part 6: Naming Ionic Compounds with transition metals

OUT-OF-CLASS WORK:¶

Open IMT for Unit 5 and make sure all sections for lesson 2 are complete.
Make sure student sheet L5.2 is complete and complete the check for understanding on Schoology.

L5.2 Student Sheet¶

*What types of elements are in smartphones and how are they different from each other?

Part 1:¶

Read in the cK-12 textbook on metals, nonmetals, and metalloids. Fill in the table below.

General Metal Properties and Characteristics	General Nonmetal Properties and Characteristics	General Metalloid Properties and Characteristics
Metals typically have high electrical and thermal conductivity, are malleable and ductile, and have a metallic luster. Examples of metals found in smartphones include aluminum, copper, silver, and gold.	Nonmetals typically have low electrical and thermal conductivity, are typically not malleable or ductile, and often have a dull or non-metallic luster. Examples of nonmetals found in smartphones include carbon, oxygen, and silicon.	Metalloids have properties that fall between those of metals and nonmetals. They have intermediate electrical conductivity and are sometimes malleable or ductile, and sometimes have a metallic luster. An example of a metalloid found in smartphones is silicon.

Part 2: Testing and classifying Unknown Samples Activity¶

Substance	Color or Luster	Conductivity	Malleable/Brittle	Reaction w CuCl2
A	Luster, and silver	Y	Brittle	No reaction
B	Luster, Silver	Y	Malleable	Turned Black
C	Yellow Dust	N	Brittle	No Reaction
D	Foil, Silver	Y	Malleable

Classify each substance as either a metal, nonmetal, or metalloid and explain your reasoning.

A - Metaloid
B - Metal
C - NonMetal
D- Metal

Part 3: Use the “Elements of a Smartphone” infographic to complete this table.

Element symbol	Element name	Atomic Number for the element	Molar mass(g/mol)	Metal/ Nonmetal/ Metalloid	Reasoning
Screen
K	Potassium	19	39.0983	Metal	Potassium is not commonly used in smartphone screens.
Al	Aluminum	13	26.9815	Metal	Aluminum is used in the touchscreen of smartphones as it is a good conductor of electricity.
Si	Silicon	14	28.0855	Metalloid	Silicon is used in the manufacturing of the touchscreen and the semiconductor components of smartphones.
Sn	Tin	50	118.71	Metal	Tin is not commonly used in smartphone screens.

Battery
Li	Lithium	3	6.939	Metal	Lithium is used in lithium-ion batteries, which are commonly found in smartphones, as it has a high energy density and low self-discharge rate.
O	Oxygen	8	15.999	Nonmetal	Oxygen is not commonly used in smartphone batteries.
Al	Aluminum	13	26.9815	Metal	Aluminum is used in the casing of some smartphone batteries as it is a good conductor of heat.
Co	Cobalt	27	58.933	Metal	Cobalt is used in some lithium-ion batteries as it improves the stability and longevity of the battery.

Electronics
P	Phosphorus	15	30.9738	Nonmetal	Phosphorus is not commonly used in smartphone electronics.
Cu	Copper	29	63.546	Metal	Copper is used in the wiring and components of smartphones as it is a good conductor of electricity.
Ag	Silver	47	107.87	Metal	Silver is used in some smartphone components as it is a good conductor of electricity and has antimicrobial properties.
Au	Gold	79	196.967	Metal	Gold is used in some smartphone components as it is a good conductor of electricity and does not corrode easily.

Casing
C	Carbon	6	12.0107	Nonmetal	Carbon is used in the form of carbon fiber in some smartphone casings as it is lightweight and strong.
Mg	Magnesium	12	24.305	Metal	Magnesium is not commonly used in smartphone casings.
Ni	Nickel	28	58.6934	Metal	Nickel is used in some smartphone casings as it provides corrosion resistance and durability.
Br	Bromine	35	79.904	Nonmetal	Bromine is not commonly used in smartphone casings.

Which of these elements sound new/unfamiliar to you?

I was surprised to know that phosphorous may be used in phones
What does the “number for the element” mean?

The number of protons in the element
Why are there different elements in the different areas of the phone?

Different parts of the phone require different elements due to their different functions.

Part 4: Structure of Atom

Part 6: Naming Ionic Compounds with Transition Metals

Some of the ionic compounds found in smartphones contain Transition and Post-Transition Metals (Pb, Sn, Cu, Fe). Let’s learn the rules for naming these compounds and practice naming a few.

Rules for Naming Binary Ionic Compounds with Transition Metals

Follow the rules for naming binary ionic compounds except:

The name of the metal is the same as the element name but the charge is written with roman numerals in parentheses.

If the charge is +1, write (I) If the charge is +3, write (III)

If the charge is +2, write (II) If the charge is +4, write (IV)

Silver (Ag) and Zinc (Zn) do NOT use the roman numeral system. Silver is always +1 and Zinc is always +2.

Rules for Writing Formulas of Ionic Compounds with Transition Metals

Follow the rules for naming binary ionic compounds except add:

1a. The charge of the metal is written in roman numerals in parenthesis.

TIP for Success: The number in roman numerals is the charge NOT how many of the element!

Practice Write the name or the formula for the following binary ionic compounds with transition metals.

Name	Cation/Anion with Charges	Formula
Iron (II) chloride	Fe2+, Cl 1-	FeCl2
Iron (III) oxide	Fe3+, O 2-	Fe2O3
copper (I) nitride	Cu1+, N 3-	Cu3N2
tin (IV) oxide	Sn4+, O 2-	SnO2
Silver chloride	Ag1+, Cl 1-	AgCl
zinc sulfide	Zn2+, S 2-	ZnS
Nickel phosphide	Ni3+, P 3-	Ni3P2
manganese (VII) iodide	Mn7+, I 1-	MnI2
cadmium (II) nitride	Cd2+, N 3-	Cd3N2
Lead carbonate	Pb2+, CO3 2-	PbCO3
Titanium phosphate	Ti4+, PO4 3-	Ti(PO4)3
Silver sulfate	Ag1+, SO4 2-	Ag2SO4
tin (II) chloride	Sn2+, Cl 1-	SnCl2
Strontium carbonate	Sr2+, CO3 2-	SrCO3
Zinc chloride	Zn2+, Cl 1-	ZnCl2
manganese (IV) hydroxide	Mn2+, OH 1-	Mn(OH)2

Last update: June 5, 2023
Created: June 5, 2023