Learning Objectives
Describe the periodic table as being structured to represent
groups of elements with similar chemical properties.
Recognise patterns for atomic number.
Recognise periods and groups in the periodic table.
Identify and name important groups with similar chemical
properties in the periodic table (alkaline metals, alkaline earth
metals, transition metals, halogens, noble gases).
Identify elements as metals or non-metals in the periodic table.
2
Patterns in the Periodic Table
Elements on the periodic table are divided by the zig
zag line into metals (left side and centre) and non-
metals (right side).
Patterns in the Periodic Table
Elements are ordered by ascending atomic number.
Elements are ordered into 7 rows (periods). Each row
number represents the number of electron orbital
shells the element contains.
Patterns in the Periodic Table
Elements on the periodic table are grouped into
columns (groups) based on their chemical properties
(how they react).
There are 18 groups. Each group has a specific name
to differentiate it from the other groups in the periodic
table.
Hydrogen belongs to a
Hydrogen group of its own.
Has 1 electron in its outer
shell
Hydrogen is a diatomic,
reactive gas.
Hydrogen was involved
in the explosion of the
Hindenberg.
Hydrogen is promising as
an alternative fuel source
for automobiles
colour hydrogen colour
1
ALKALI METALS
Group 1
Hydrogen is not a member, it
is a non-metal
1 electron in the outer shell
Soft and silvery metals
Very reactive, esp. with water
Conduct electricity
Colour the rest of this group
color 2
Alkali Metals
1st column on the
periodic table (Group
1) not including
hydrogen.
Very reactive metals,
always combined
with something else
in nature (like in
salt).
Soft enough to cut
with a butter knife
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
Group 2
2 electrons in the
outer shell
White and
malleable
Reactive, but less
than Alkali metals
Conduct electricity
Colour the Alkaline
Earth Metals
colour 3
Alkaline Earth Metals
Second column on
the periodic table.
(Group 2)
Reactive metals that
are always combined
with nonmetals in
nature.
Several of these
elements are
important mineral
nutrients (such as Mg
and Ca
TRANSITION METALS
Groups 3-12
Good conductors
of heat and
electricity.
Some are used for
jewellery.
Can bond with
many elements in a
variety of shapes.
Transition Metals
Elements in groups
3-12
Less reactive, harder
metals
Includes metals used
in jewellery and
construction.
BORON FAMILY Group 13
3 electrons in the
outer shell
Most are metals
Boron is a
metalloid
Boron Family
Elements in group 13
Aluminum metal was
once rare and
expensive, not a
“disposable metal.”
CARBON FAMILY Group 14
4 electrons in the
outer shell
Contains metals,
metalloids, and a
non-metal Carbon
(C)
Carbon Family Elements in group 14
Contains elements
important to life and
computers.
Carbon is the basis
for an entire branch
of chemistry.
Silicon and
Germanium are
important
semiconductors.
NITROGEN FAMILY Group 15
5 electrons in the
outer shell
Can share electrons
to form compounds
Contains metals,
metalloids, and
non-metals
Nitrogen FamilyElements in group 15
Nitrogen makes up over
¾ of the atmosphere.
Nitrogen and
phosphorus are both
important in living
things.
Most of the world’s
nitrogen is not available
to living things.
The red stuff on the tip
of matches is
phosphorus.
OXYGEN FAMILY or Chalcogens
Group 16
6 electrons in the
outer shell
Contains metals,
metalloids, and
non-metals
Reactive
Oxygen Family or Chalcogens
Elements in group 16
Oxygen is necessary
for respiration.
Many things that
stink, contain sulfur
(rotten eggs, garlic,
skunks,etc.)
Halogens Group 17
7 electrons in the
outer shell
All are non-
metals
Very reactive
Are often bonded
with elements from
Group 1
Color the Halogen
group with color 4
Halogens
Elements in group 17
Very reactive,
volatile, diatomic,
nonmetals
Always found
combined with other
element in nature .
Used as disinfectants
and to strengthen
teeth.
Noble Gases
Group 18
Exist as gases
Non-metals
Outer shell is full –
very stable
Not reactive with
other elements
Color the noble
gases with color 5
The Noble Gases
Elements in group 18
VERY unreactive,
monatomic gases
Used in lighted
“neon” signs
Used in blimps to fix
the Hindenberg
problem.
Have a full valence
shell.
Rare Earth Metals Some are
Radioactive
The rare earths
are silver, silvery-
white, or gray
metals.
Conduct
electricity
Video – Caesium and Fluorine
Reaction
What to do now:
Complete the following document from
Compass:
Major Groups in the PT
