HS-PS1-1

HS-PS1-3 →

Use the periodic table as a model to predict the relative properties of elements based on the patterns of electrons in the outermost energy level of atoms.

Clarification statement: Examples of properties that could be predicted from patterns could include reactivity of metals, types of bonds formed, numbers of bonds formed, and reactions with oxygen.

Assessment boundary: Assessment is limited to main group elements. Assessment does not include quantitative understanding of ionization energy beyond relative trends.

Reference Tables

Relevant reference tables:

• Periodic Table of the Elements
• Mathematical and Computational Models – Coulombic force (qualitative)

Regents Exam Questions

Released New York State Regents exam questions that assess HS-PS1-1 are listed here by exam and question cluster. Each link opens the question with its answer key.

Exam	Cluster	Question
August 2026 Chemistry Regents	Semiconductors	Question 14
	Semiconductors	Question 15
	Parade of Balloons	Question 39
June 2026 Chemistry Regents	How Glow Became Gloom	Question 2
	Chip Bag: PFAS vs PLA Plastics	Question 35
Chemistry sample clusters (Spring 2025)	Smartphone Chemistry	Question 1
	Evaluating Gas Stoves	Question 2

Vocabulary

Terms from the Chemistry Glossary that come from this standard or from the released exam questions that assess it.

From this standard

• atom
• atomic scale
• atomic structure
• attraction
• bond
• chemical property
• component (of a system)
• contact force
• electric charge
• electron
• electron state
• element
• energy level
• evidence
• group (of the periodic table)
• ionization
• ionization energy
• main-group element
• matter
• metal
• neutron
• nucleus
• outermost energy level
• period (of the periodic table)
• periodic table
• phenomenon
• properties
• proton
• quantitative
• reaction with oxygen
• reactivity
• relative property
• repulsion
• system
• transformation
• trend

From released exam questions

• atomic mass – Aug 2026
• atomic radius – Aug 2026, June 2026
• band gap energy – Aug 2026
• claim – Aug 2026
• compound – Aug 2026, June 2026
• conduction band – Aug 2026
• conductivity – Aug 2026
• conductor – Aug 2026
• covalent bond – Sample 2025
• crystal – Aug 2026
• crystal lattice – Aug 2026
• decomposition – June 2026
• double bond – Sample 2025
• electrical conductivity – Aug 2026
• electrical force – June 2026
• energy – Aug 2026
• first ionization energy – Aug 2026
• gas – Aug 2026, Sample 2025
• insulator – Aug 2026, Sample 2025
• ion – Sample 2025
• mixture – Aug 2026
• molecule – Sample 2025
• nonpolar covalent bond – Sample 2025
• outermost electrons – Aug 2026, June 2026
• oxide – Sample 2025
• physical property – June 2026
• polar covalent bond – Sample 2025
• polymer – June 2026
• semiconductor – Aug 2026
• single bond – Sample 2025
• valence band – Aug 2026
• valence electron – June 2026
• valence shell – Aug 2026

Implied by this standard

• atomic number – implied by "orders elements horizontally by the number of protons in the atom's nucleus"
• electron configuration – implied by "patterns of electrons in the outermost energy level of atoms"
• ionic bond – implied by "types of bonds formed"

Performance Level Descriptions

Every Regents exam question on HS-PS1-1 is written to match one of the performance level descriptions (PLDs) below.

Level 1: Use the periodic table as a model to identify the patterns of electrons in the outermost energy level of atoms or the relative properties of elements within a group or period. Aug 2026 · Q14 Sample · Gas Stoves Q2

Level 2: Use the periodic table as a model to identify the patterns of electrons in the outermost energy level of atoms and the relative properties of elements within a group or period. June 2026 · Q35 Sample · Smartphone Chemistry Q1

Level 3: Use the periodic table as a model to describe the relative properties of elements based on the patterns of electrons in the outermost energy level of atoms. Aug 2026 · Q39 Aug 2026 · Q15 June 2026 · Q2

Level 4: Use the periodic table as a model to predict the relative properties of elements based on the patterns of electrons in the outermost energy level of atoms.

Level 5: Use the periodic table as a model to construct a representation of chemical behavior using relative properties of elements based on the patterns of electrons in the outermost energy level of atoms.

Notice: PLD levels!

Resources

Examples and discussion of resources for the learning, teaching, and assessment of HS-PS1-1.

This section could be expanded upon. You can help out by adding to this section.

NGSS Dimensions

Performance expectation HS-PS1-1 was developed using the following elements from the NRC document A Framework for K-12 Science Education:

Science and Engineering Practices

• Developing and Using Models
  • Use a model to predict the relationships between systems or between components of a system.

Disciplinary Core Ideas

• PS1.A: Structure and Properties of Matter
  • Each atom has a charged substructure consisting of a nucleus, which is made of protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons.
  • The periodic table orders elements horizontally by the number of protons in the atom’s nucleus and places those with similar chemical properties in columns. The repeating patterns of this table reflect patterns of outer electron states.
• PS2.B: Types of Interactions
  • Attraction and repulsion between electric charges at the atomic scale explain the structure, properties, and transformations of matter, as well as the contact forces between material objects. (secondary to HS-PS1-1)

Crosscutting Concepts

• Patterns
  • Different patterns may be observed at each of the scales at which a system is studied and can provide evidence for causality in explanations of phenomena.

Page contributors: Conrad Richman, Caroline Leonard, Shirley Shameen

Chemistry | HS. Structure and Properties of Matter