Groups/Families

    Groups/Families are the vertical columns of a periodic table. There are 18 groups in the periodic table. The main groups are 1, 2, 3-12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18. Each group has a different name. Elements in a group share similar properties, both chemical and physical. For example, elements in a group share the amount of reactivity and the number of valence electrons which are the number of electrons in the outermost shell.

Periods

    Periods are the horizontal rows on the periodic table. There are 7 periods in the periodic table including periods 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. Elements in a period do not share many similar properties, however, they do share the number of energy shells in their atoms. As you go to the right of the period row, the atomic number increases by one. Also as you go to the right, the reactivity starts to lessen until you get to the middle, then the reactivity starts to increase until group 18.

Protons

    Protons are the positively charged subatomic particles located in the nucleus of an atom. On the element, the number of protons is the atomic number, which is located at the top of the element on the periodic table. The role of the proton is to identify the element. For example, if the number of protons is one, the element is hydrogen.  If it is two, the element is helium. A proton weighs less than a neutron but more than an electron, and it help keeps the element stable and ion free.

Metals, Non-metals, and Metalloids

    Metalloids are elements that are a mix of metals and non-metals. They make a staircase shape on the periodic table and start from the element boron. They continue with silicon, then germanium, arsenic, antimony, tellurium, and lastly astatine. Metalloids are decent conductors, have some luster, mostly brittle, and have elasticity. They are also solid at room temperature.  Metals are on the left side on the metalloid staircase. They are great conductors, lustrous, malleable, and ductile. Except mercury, metals are solid at room temperature. Non-metals are on the right side of the metalloid staircase with the exception of hydrogen which is in group 1, period 1. Non-metals are dull, bad conductors, brittle, and non-malleable. They can be in the form of a liquid, solid, or a gas. 

Valence Electrons Placement

    Valence electrons are the number of electrons found in the outermost energy shell of an atom. You can find the number of valence electrons by looking at what group it is in. If the group number is one-digit, that is the number of valence electrons. However if the group number is two-digits, the second digit is the number of valence electrons. Another way to determine this is the rule of octets. This is the number of electrons each shell can hold. The first shell can hold two, the second shell can hold eight, and the third shell can also hold eight. You can find the number of electrons by looking at the atomic number, and then  do the math from there. 

Valence Electrons Reactivity

    Valence electrons also determine the reactivity of an element.  Group 18, is a non-reactive element group. This is because group 18 element's valence electrons are completely full, making the element stable and not needing to react with other elements. After group 18, Whichever element's valence electrons are closest to being full or empty, are the most reactive. This can also mean whichever element is closest to the outermost group on the periodic table, is the most reactive. As elements get closer to the inside of the periodic table, they get less reactive.

Alkali Metals

    Alkali metals are the first group of the periodic table. The chemical properties of alkali metals include, one of the most highly reactive element groups, most electropositive of all elements, and each element has one valence electron. Alkali metals can react to anything outside the atmosphere. Physical properties of alkali metals include being grey, shiny, soft, and turn dull when exposed to air. They also have low melting/boiling points, can be easily cut, are good conductors, and have low densities. Elements in group 1 include hydrogen, lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, and francium. Lithium is used in the rechargeable battery of things like laptops and phones. Cesium is used in glass and radiation detection equipment. Sodium is used in everyday use because of its bond to create table salt. Potassium is in many fruits such as avocados. It helps regulate water balance in your body. Rubidium is used in the manufacture of photocells and special glasses.

Cesium

Rubidium

Potassium

Alkaline Earth Metals

Alkaline earth metals are the second group of the periodic table. Physical properties of alkaline earth metals are that they are soft, shiny, and silvery-white. They have low densities and low melting/boiling points. They also have all the physical properties of general metals. Chemical properties are that they are very reactive but not as reactive as alkali metals as they have two valence electrons. Added to that, they have an oxidation state of +2. Elements of group 2 include beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, and radium. Beryllium is used in alloys to create things like springs and aircraft. Calcium is vital to the human body as it helps maintain strong bones. It is in things like milk and cheese. Magnesium is in laptops and cameras. Radium is used in many things such as paints as it gives the glow in the dark effect. Strontium salts are used in fireworks for a glowing and vibrant crimson color.

Calcium

Magnesium

Strontium

Barium

Transition Metals

Transition metals are groups 3-12 on the periodic table. Chemical properties of transition metals are that they are useful as catalysts and they can have a valence electron number anywhere from 1-10. These metals, get slightly less reactive as you go down the periods, until group 9 or 10. Then the reactivity starts to rise back up. Transition metals also have low ionization energies and positive oxidation states.

Physical properties of transition metals are that they have all the properties of general metals and they have high densities and high melting/boiling points. Some elements of groups 3-12 are gold, silver, copper, chromium, tungsten, titanium, osmium, iridium, and even iron. Gold is used to make many types of jewelry. Silver is used to making silver tableware, mirrors, etc. Copper is used in electrical equipment such as motors. Scandium is used in many types of sports equipment such as baseball bats. Cobalt is used in a variety of ceramics because of its deep blue color.

Gold

Copper

Silver

Cobalt

Osmium

Boron Group

The boron group is the 13th group of the periodic table. Physical properties of the boron group are that they have extremely high melting points. As you go down the group, the acidic nature of hydroxides decreases. Even though there is a metalloid in this group, all the elements are great conductors. Some chemical properties of the boron group are that they have 3 valence electrons and they have a maximum oxidation number of 3. Their reactivity is still there, but not as much as alkali metals or alkaline earth metals. Elements of group 13 are boron, aluminum, gallium, indium, thallium, and nihonium. Boron is a supplement taken to build strong bones. Aluminum is formed into thin sheets to shape whatever way fits your need. Gallium is used in electronic circuits and LED lights. Indium has properties that allow phones to be a touch screen. Thallium metal is used in many low melting glasses in the glass lens industry.

Aluminum

Indium

Gallium

Thallium

Carbon Group

The carbon group is group 14 of the periodic table. This group contains metals, non-metals, and metalloids. They have many physical properties some of which include, an increasing density as you go down the group, extreme melting/boiling points, and decreasing ionization energy going down the group. The carbon group also has a variety of chemical properties. Each element has 4 valence electrons and are more reactive than boron group elements. They have a strong propensity for covalent bonding. Elements in this group include carbon, silicon, germanium, tin, lead, and flerovium. Carbon is in many things in our body, such as glucose and protein. Silicon is a major part in ceramics and bricks. Germanium is used as a phosphor in fluorescent lamps. Lead is widely used in weights for lifting. Tin is used to coat other metals to prevent corrosion.

Germanium

Tin

Lead