Families- Characteristics ONLY

Families

Groups of elements that share many similar physical and chemical properties; are classified into 8 different sections on the Periodic Table

Alkali Metals

*Group 1

* 1 valence electron

* Most reactive family

* Never found pure in nature

* Shiny and light weight

* Malleable (bendable)

* Not safe for humans to touch

Alkali Earth Metals

* Group 2

* 2 valence electrons

* Reactive, but not as reactive as the Alkali Metals.

* Silver colored, more dense than alkali metals

* Good conductors

* When burned, each elements gives off a different color

Transition Metals

* Groups 3-12

* Slightly different rules for shells and valence electrons.

* Properties vary

* Hard, strong, shiny metals

* Reactive

BCNO (Boron, Carbon, Nitrogen, Oxygen)

* Groups 13-16

* 3, 4, 5, or 6 valance electrons, depending on their group.

* Reactive

* Contains the metalloids along with some metals and non metals

Halogens

* Group 17

* 7 valence electrons

* Poisonous

* Poor conductors

* Reactive non-metals

Noble Gases

* Group 18

* 8 Valence electrons

* Colorless, tasteless, odorless gases

* Unreactive nonmetal

Hydrogen

* is a very special element of the periodic table and doesn't belong to any family.

* sits in Group I, but it is NOT an alkali metal, it is a nonmetal

Lanthanides

* Shiny, soft, reactive metals

* Produce a spark when struck

Actinides

* Unstable and radioactive metal

* Synthetic