What are Families and PEriods?

Families, or groups, are the up and down columns on a periodic table. They have similar physical and chemical properties, and they share the same number of valence electrons. They also have specific names (Alkali metals, Carbon group) which I will share later.

Periods are the left to right rows on a periodic table. They determine the number of energy shells an atom has in its electron cloud. Other than that, elements in the same period do not have much in common.

Apply it!

What are Protons?

Protons are the positively charged particle of an atom located inside the nucleus. The number of protons in an atom determines what element the atom is. We call this number the atomic number. The protons work with the neutrons to establish the nucleus and stabilize the element.

Fun fact:

The atomic number, or number of protons, is also the number of electrons. This same number can be subtracted from the atomic mass to find the number of neutrons.

Metals, NonMetals, and Metalloids

Elements on the periodic table can be one of three things: a metal, a nonmetal, or a metalloid.

Metals are known for being conductors of heat and electricity. They are also malleable and ductile. Metals are found on the left side of the "staircase", except for hydrogen, which is a nonmetal.

Metalloids are a mix of both metals and nonmetals. They can be semiconductors, half insulators and half conductors. 

MEtals, nonmetals, and Metalloids CONt'd

 Metalloids may be lustrous, dull, malleable, not malleable, or brittle. It really just depends. You can find them touching the "staircase" on the periodic table.

Valence Electrons

Valence electrons are a crucial part of an atom. They are the electrons in the outermost energy shell of an atom. These electrons determine the reactivity of an element. As mentioned before, elements in the same group or family have the same number of valence electrons. Elements with 1 or 7 valence electron(s) are the most reactive because they either need or want to give away one electron.

Cheat sheet:

1 or 7 valence electrons- VERY reactive

2-6 valence electrons- somewhat reactive

8 valence electrons- NOT reactive

Groups and Families

1. Alkali metals

2. Alkaline Earth metals

3-12. Transition metals

13. Boron group

14. Carbon group

15. Pnictogen or Nitrogen group

16. Chalcogens or Oxygen group

17. Halogens

18. Noble gasses

Alkali metals

- Chemical properties

    ~ 1 valence electron 

        > VERY reactive

- Physical properties

    ~ consists of metals and one nonmetal

    ~ lustrous

    ~ soft

    ~ silver

- Elements: Hydrogen, Lithium, Sodium, Potassium, Rubidium

Hydrogen

Lithium

Sodium

Bohr Models

Alkali metals highly reactive metals located on the left side side of the periodic table "staircase".

Refer to page 4 about protons!

Alkaline Earth metals

- Chemical properties

    ~ 2 valence electrons

        > somewhat - very reactive

- Physical properties

    ~ low density

    ~ consists of metals

    ~ lustrous

    ~ silverish-white

- Elements: Beryllium, Magnesium, Calcium, Strontium, Barium

Beryllium

Magnesium

Calcium

Bohr Models

Alkaline Earth metals are somewhat to highly reactive metals. They are used everyday with fireworks, antacids, and other things.

Refer to page 4 about protons!

Transition metals

- Chemical properties

    ~ varying valence electrons

        > somewhat reactive

- Physical properties

    ~ consists of metals

    ~ ductile

    ~ lustrous

    ~ malleable

    ~ high conductivity

- Elements: Aluminum, Iron, Zinc, Gold, and Silver

Aluminum

Iron

Zinc

Bohr models

Transition metals are somewhat reactive metals. They are what we would think of as metal, like gold and silver

Refer to page 4 about protons!

Boron Group

- Chemical properties

    ~ 3 valence electrons

        > somewhat reactive

- Physical properties

    ~ includes one metalloid, rest are metals

    ~ high melting point

    ~ silverish white

    ~ higher density

- Elements: Boron, Aluminum, Gallium, Indium, Thallium

Boron

Aluminum

Gallium

Bohr models

The Boron group is also somewhat reactive and is the first group to include a metalloid..

Refer to page 4 about protons!

Carbon Group

- Chemical properties

    ~ 4 valence electrons

        > somewhat reactive

- Physical properties

    ~ consists of metals, nonmetals, and metalloids

    ~ semiconductors

    ~ higher density

- Elements: Carbon, Silicon, Germanium, Tin, Lead

Carbon

Silicon

Germanium

Bohr Models

The Carbon group is, once again, somewhat reactive. It is also known as the tetrel family, and they are known for being semiconductors.

Refer to page 4 about protons!

Pnictogen/nitrogen group

- Chemical properties

    ~ 5 valence electrons

        > somewhat reactive

- Physical properties

    ~ consists of metals, nonmetals, and metalloids

    ~ solid (excluding nitrogen which is a gas)

    ~ higher density

    ~ range of chemical properties

- Elements: Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Arsenic, Antimony, Bismuth

Nitrogen

Phosphorous

Bohr Models

Arsenic

The nitrogen group is also semi reactive. These elements are also known for being toxic.

Refer to page 4 about protons!