Element Families of the Periodic Table

The Alkali Metals (Group 1) : 

The Alkali Metals (Group 1) The most reactive of all metals Never found by themselves in nature Very soft; can be cut with a knife Alkali Metals react violently with water Hydrogen gas is produced (along with a base) Extreme heat is also produced The heat can ignite the hydrogen gas Tend to form positive ions (+1 charge)

The Alkaline Earth Metals (Group 2) : 

The Alkaline Earth Metals (Group 2) Harder and denser than Alkali metals Reactive metals Not found alone in nature Form positive ions (+2 charge) http://www.webelements.com

Transition Metals (Groups 3-12) : 

Transition Metals (Groups 3-12) Elements in the center section of the PT (the largest group of elements) Have more complicated electron structures Behavior and properties are more unpredictable than main group metals, but in general: Hard High Density High Melting & Boiling Points Commonly form oxides Form brightly colored compounds

Inner Transition Elements(The Lanthanide and Actinide Series) : 

Inner Transition Elements(The Lanthanide and Actinide Series) Located below the main periodic table All 28 inner transition elements fit in between Groups 2 & 3 in periods 6 & 7 Lanthanides are soft, malleable metals with high luster and conductivity Actinides are radioactive, and most do not occur naturally http://www.webelements.com

The Other Metals : 

The Other Metals Located between the Transition Metals and the Metalloids Softer than Transition Metals Lower melting & boiling points Many common everyday uses

The Metalloids : 

The Metalloids Found between the metals & nonmetals Elements adjacent to the stairstep line starting at the top of Group 13 (with the exception of Aluminum) Most act as semiconductors Insulators at room temp, conductors when heated Crucial to the computer industry

The Non-Metals : 

The Non-Metals Act as insulators or semiconductors Gain electrons Form ionic bonds with metals Form covalent bonds with other nonmetals Pure elements take on different molecular configurations (allotropes) Make up the minority of the elements on the PT, but make up the majority of the world around us

The Chalcogens (Group 16) : 

The Chalcogens (Group 16) The Oxygen family Very reactive nonmetals Commonly found combinedwith metals to form metal ores Forms negative ions (-2 charge) Chalcogens are amphoteric –can be both an acid and a base http://www.webelements.com

The Halogens (Group 17) : 

The Halogens (Group 17) Very reactive, toxic nonmetals Distinctive colors Only family to contain elementsthat exist in all three phasesat room temperature Form negative ions (-1 charge) In the gas phase, halogens are diatomic Combine with metals to form salts http://www.webelements.com

The Noble Gases (Group 18) : 

The Noble Gases (Group 18) Extremely unreactive, colorless gases Noble gases are so unreactive because they have a full valence shell  very stable