Chapter: 1

About the Periodic Table

Families In The Periodic Table

Families or groups are the vertical columns in the periodic table. Elements in the same family usually have the same amount of valence electrons. This means that they share similar chemical properties and similar reactivity. In total counting all the vertical rows there are 18 families.

Periods In The Periodic Table

Periods are the horizontal rows in the periodic table. Elements in the same period usually have the same amount of orbitals or energy shells. In total counting all the horizontal columns there are 7 periods.

The Role of Protons

Protons are an extremely important part of an element. They are in the nucleus of an atom and they define an element's physical properties. Protons define which element is which because the amount of protons is the atomic number of an element. Also, the elements are organized in order of atomic number so you could say they define the order of elements. 

Metals, Non-Metals, and Metals

The Metals section is on the right of the side of the periodic table and they are malleable, shiny, and good conductors of electricity. Nonmetals are to the far left side and they are brittle, dull, and not bad conductors of electricity. Metalloids are between metals and nonmetals in the periodic table and they are kind of a mix of metals and nonmetals because they are ok conductors of electricity. 

Valence Electrons

Valence electrons are the outermost electrons in an atom's energy shell. they are very important in chemical reactions between atoms because they combine with other valence electrons and define an atom's chemical properties. It also affects its reactivity because how close it is to be an empty or full shell makes it more or less reactive.

Chapter: 2

The families in the Periodic Table

Alkali Metals 

Alkali metals are found in the first group of the periodic table. Their physical properties are that they are shiny, soft, and silvery. Their chemical properties are that they are highly reactive since they only have 1 valence electron. 3 elements from this family are lithium which is used for most batteries in electronic devices, sodium which is used in making salt, and potassium which is a vital nutrient for humans and is found in nuts, beans, and dairy food.

Alkaline Earth Metals

Alkaline earth metals are found in group 2 of the periodic table. Their physical properties are that they are shiny, have low densities, and have low melting points. Their chemical properties show that they are pretty reactive since they only need to get rid of 2 valence electrons to be a full shell. 3 elements from this family are magnesium which regulates muscles and nerve functions in the body, calcium which helps make your teeth and bones strong, and beryllium which is used for making spacecrafts.

Transition Metals

Transition metals are found in the main part of the periodic table and take up the majority of it. these metals are just like normal metals and they are malleable, shiny, solid, and good conductors of electricity. Although Transition Metals arent very reactive they range from 1-2 valence electrons. 3 elements from this family are gold which is used as a conductor in many electronics, iron which can be used for automobiles and utensils, and tungsten which is used as filaments in light bulbs.

Boron Family

The Boron family is located next to the transition metals and are considered post-transition metals. This family is mostly metals and has mostly the same properties as them. They all have 3 valence electrons so they are less reactive than transition metals. 3 elements from this family are Boron which can be taken as supplements to help your bones, Aluminum which can be used for utensils, and Gallium which is mostly used in electronic circuits.