On the periodic table, the elements can be divided into subgroups called families/groups and periods. Families are the vertical columns on the table, where the elements have similar chemical and physical properties and usually the same number of valence electrons. There are 18 vertical columns, from the alkali metals to the noble gases family. In the families, the elements closer to the top have less energy compared to the elements closer to the bottom of the column because the number of energy levels increases by 1 every time you go down one element. 

Groups/Families on the Periodic Table

https://periodictable.me/tag/periodic-table-with-groups-and-families/

Periods on the Periodic Table

Another way to identify similarities on the periodic table is through the periods which are the horizontal rows on the table. The elements in the same horizontal row have the same number of energy shells or orbitals. In addition, the atomic number increases by one for each element as you move from left to right on the row. Therefore, the number of electrons and protons increases along the period. There are 7 periods on the periodic table, excluding the lanthanide and actinides which are located at the bottom of the periodic table.

https://www.sciencesfp.com/periodic-table-distribution-of-elements.html

Role of Protons

Protons are located in the nucleus of an atom along with the neutrons. They have a mass of about 1 amu and they identify the physical properties of an element. Because changing the number of protons changes the element altogether, protons are what defines an element. The number of protons a certain element has is the way that we can identify which element it is. This number is called an atomic number, and it dictates where it is located and its placement on the periodic table. Elements on the periodic table are listed in numerical order based on their atomic number. Every time you go to the right one, the atomic number, and therefore the number of protons, increases by one.

https://www.castl.uci.edu/games/bondbreaker_lessons

Elemental Properties  (Metals, Non-Metals, Metalliods)

All the elements on the periodic table are either metal, non-metal, or metalloid. Most elements are metals, and they are located from group 1, excluding hydrogen, all the way to the staircase and down. Metals are usually conductors of heat and electricity and are malleable. Metalloids are along the staircase, which is a zigzag of elements, on the right side of the table and non-metals are located on the right side of the table, along with hydrogen, and the upper right side of the staircase. Although metalloids usually look like metals, they behave more like non-metals, being a semiconductor and being more brittle than metal. Non-metals are poor conductors of heat and electricity and are very brittle.

https://www.angelo.edu/faculty/kboudrea/periodic/physical_metals.htm

Valence Electrons and Their Roles

Valence electrons are electrons that are located in the outermost energy level/shell/orbital. The first orbital can hold a maximum of 2 electrons, and then every one after that holds 8. Valence electrons determine reactivity with other atoms, or how likely they are to bond with other atoms. If the last energy shell is full or empty, then the element is not reactive. But if the energy level is close to being full or empty, then it is highly reactive because it is easier for the level to either fill up or empty out. The group number that an element is is the number of valence electrons an element has.

https://sciencenotes.org/what-are-valence-electrons-definition-and-periodic-table/

https://chemistrytalk.org/what-are-valence-electrons/

Valence Electron

Families/Groups on the Periodic Table

Alkali Metals

Alkaline Earth Metals

Transition Metals

Boron Family

Carbon Family

Nitrogen Family

Oxygen Family

Halogens 

Noble Gases

Alkali Metals

These metals are very reactive because they have 1 valence electron, therefore, they are not out in the world, but in a contained place for chemists to study. Like all metals, the alkali metals are malleable, ductile, and are good conductors of heat and electricity. They are shiny, soft, and silvery. Compared to most metals, alkali metals are softer and can explode if it is exposed to water. Elements like lithium, rubidium, and potassium are part of the alkali metal family. When sodium is formed into a compound with hydroxide, sodium hydroxide is formed (NaOH), which is used to manufacture many common household soaps and detergents. Electronic devices like mobile phones, laptops, and digital cameras all have rechargeable batteries that are made of lithium.

Bohr Models/Illustrations

https://socratic.org/questions/how-can-i-make-a-sodium-atom-model 

https://thethingswellmake.com/homemade-liquid-coconut-oil-soap/ 

https://www.batterymart.com/p-34153-rcr123a-rechargeable-batteries-arlo-camera.html

Alkaline Earth Metals

Compared to alkali metals, alkaline earth metals are slightly less reactive and occur in nature. These metals are shiny and silvery-white as well. They have low densities, boiling, and melting points with reactivity at standard temperatures and pressures because they have 2 valence electrons. Calcium, magnesium, and beryllium are all elements in the alkaline earth metal family. The bones and teeth of our bodies are what stores about 99% of the calcium present in our body. Calcium makes it hard and strong, which is important because it keeps a stable structure of our body. Because magnesium is the lightest metal that can be used to build things, baseball catcher’s masks and cameras are made of magnesium alloys.

Bohr Models/Illustrations

http://cars-catalog.info/bohr-model-of-beryllium.shtml 

https://www.greatlakessports.com/softball-baseball-mask 

https://www.bettermovement.org/blog/2010/using-skeletal-awareness-to-

move-better

Transition Metals

The largest family on the periodic table, these elements are located in the middle of the table and make up most of the table, spanning from group 3 to 12. These elements are ductile and malleable like all other metals and conduct heat and electricity well. They have high melting and boiling points and a high density. They can be bent into a shape easily, but are usually hard and tough as well. In the transition metal family, elements like copper, zinc, and iron are part of it. Most electrical wiring and motors are made of copper because it conducts heat and electricity very well. Titanium, used in high-performance products with it being as strong as steel but half the weight, can be found in bicycle frames, drill bits, and golf clubs.

Bohr Models/Illustrations

https://titaniumfact.weebly.com/bohr-diagram.html 

https://www.coynecollege.edu/learn-basics-of-home-electrical-wiring/ 

https://www.worldwidecyclery.com/pages/revel-bikes 

Boron Family

All the elements in this group have 3 valence electrons, but the properties of the elements vary greatly. Boron is considered a metalloid that is hard and black colored with an unusually high melting point and does not conduct electricity well. By contrast, the other elements are soft, have a low melting point, and have high electrical conductivity. Along with boron, other elements like aluminum, gallium, and indium are part of the boron family. Aluminum, one of the most common elements, is used in a variety of products that include cans, foil, and kitchen utensils. In addition, gallium is used in light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and is useful in high-temperature thermometers.

Bohr Models/Illustrations

https://www.clipartmax.com/middle/m2i8m2b1b1A0G6G6_the-electron-arrangement-of-boron-bohr-diagram-for-boron/ 

https://foodandnutrition.org/from-the-magazine/aluminum-foil-shining-light-multifunctional-mainstay/ 

https://www.homedepot.com/p/AcuRite-Thermometer-with-Humidity-00339HDSBA2/100659742

Carbon Family

Similar to the boron family, these elements have varying properties because there are metals, metalloids, and non-metals in this group. They all have 4 valence electrons, but as you move down the group, the atomic radius and density increase, while the electronegativity decreases. Carbon, a non-metal, is a solid at room temperature, while the other four are metals and metalloids. Silicon, germanium, and tin are examples of elements in this family. Silicon is an element that is widely used in computer chips and solar cells. Although pencils are sometimes called “lead” pencils, they really don’t contain any lead in them but instead, lead is used for car batteries and weights for lifting.