Periods on the Periodic Table

A period on the periodic table is a horizontal row of chemical elements. The atomic number or the number of protons in an element increase as you go from left to right and there are seven periods total. All of the elements also have the same number of atomic orbitals.

Groups or Families on the Periodic Table

Groups/Families is a column of elements on the periodic table. Elements in the same group usually share similar chemical and physical properties, because the have the same number of valence electrons. There are eight main groups, 1, 2, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18.

The Role of Protons

Protons are one of of the three subatomic particles and has a positive charge. They are located in the nucleus with neutrons and they determine which element is which. Every element has a unique number of protons, for example helium has 2 protons, and oxygen has eight. The atomic number on the periodic table is the number of protons in each element. The protons keep an element stable and also determine the chemical behavior.

Elemental Properties: Metals, Non-Metals, & Metalloids

Metals are good conductors of heat and electricty and are malleable. They are ductile and most metals are solid at room temperatures and make up most of the periodic table like copper and iron. Non-metals are the opposite of metals and are brittle and poor conductors. Most non-metals are gases. Some non-metals are helium and nitrogen. Metalliods look like metals, but behave mostly like non-metals. They are brittle and are semi conductors. For example, boron and silicon are metalloids.

Valence Electrons

Valence electrons are electrons on the outermost shell of an atom. Valence electrons are able to form chemical bonds with other atoms if there are less than 8. Valence electrons also determine the reactivity of an element. For example, Group 1 and 7 on the periodic table are very reactive because they are looking to fill up their shell, but Group 8 is non reactive because its outer shell is full.

Groups/Families             on the 

  Periodic Table

Group 1: Alkali Metals

Alkali metals contain H, Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Fr. These elements are solid, silvery, shiny, and soft.  Alkali metals have 1 valence electron which makes them highly reactive at room temperature. These elements are called alkali metals because their reaction with water forms alkali. Lithium is used in things like batteries and clocks. Potassium is good for you and is used in toothpaste.

Lithium Batteries

Group 2: Alkaline Earth-Metals

The Alkaline earth-metals consist of Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ra. These elements are somewhat reactive, but not as much as Group 1. They are solid, shiny, and silvery-white with low density points. They have 2 electrons in their outer shell and easily rust and tarnish. Calcium makes your bones strong and is in milk and strontium is widely used in magnets and fireworks.

Calcium Products

Group 3-12: Transition Metals

There are 38 elements in groups 3-12. Most of the elements are silver, hard, and have high melting points. All of them are solid except for mercury(Hg) which is liquid. They have variable oxidation states and have 2 valence electrons. One of these metals, titanium is used in pipes and fighter aircrafts. Copper is used in electricity cables because it is such a good conductor.

Copper wiring

Group 13: Boron Group

The Boron group includes B, Al, Ga, In, Tl, Nh. The elements in this group have 3 valence electrons. This group is fairly reactive and they are all solid metals or metalloids, except for boron which is non-metal. The rest of the elements in the group are brilliant white metals. Aluminum is used to make soda cans and tin foil and boron is used as acid to make bleach.

Aluminum Cans and Products