The Periodic Table Organization and Element Families

Vocabulary practice flashcards identifying the key groups, series, and families of elements shown on the periodic table.

The Periodic Table

A tabular arrangement of the chemical elements organized by atomic number and grouped by shared properties, featuring distinct categories such as alkali metals, alkaline earths, transition metals, main group elements, chalcogens, halogens, noble gases, and lanthanides and actinides.

Alkali Metals

The elements located in Group $1$ ($1\text{A}$) of the periodic table, indicated to include $\text{H}$, $\text{Li}$, $\text{Na}$, $\text{K}$, $\text{Rb}$, $\text{Cs}$, and $\text{Fr}$.

Alkaline Earths

The metallic elements positioned in Group $2$ ($2\text{A}$) of the periodic table, consisting of $\text{Be}$, $\text{Mg}$, $\text{Ca}$, $\text{Sr}$, $\text{Ba}$, and $\text{Ra}$.

Transition Metals

The central block of elements occupying Groups $3$ through $12$ ($3\text{B}$ through $2\text{B}$) of the periodic table, spanning from $\text{Sc}$ to $\text{Zn}$, $\text{Y}$ to $\text{Cd}$, and heavier counterparts.

Chalcogens

The non-metal and metalloid elements situated in Group $16$ ($6\text{A}$) of the periodic table, which include $\text{O}$, $\text{S}$, $\text{Se}$, $\text{Te}$, and $\text{Po}$.

Halogens

The highly reactive elements found in Group $17$ ($7\text{A}$) of the periodic table, which include $\text{F}$, $\text{Cl}$, $\text{Br}$, $\text{I}$, and $\text{At}$.

Noble Gases

The inert non-metallic elements found in Group $18$ ($8\text{A}$) of the periodic table, consisting of $\text{He}$, $\text{Ne}$, $\text{Ar}$, $\text{Kr}$, $\text{Xe}$, and $\text{Rn}$.

Main Group

The sections of the periodic table composed of Groups $1$ and $2$ ($1\text{A}$ and $2\text{A}$) on the left together with Groups $13$ through $18$ ($3\text{A}$ through $8\text{A}$) on the right.

Lanthanides and Actinides

The two segregated rows of inner transition elements positioned beneath the main body of the periodic table.

Lanthanide series

The series of elements beneath the main periodic table spanning atomic numbers $58$ ($\text{Ce}$) through $71$ ($\text{Lu}$).

Actinide series

The series of elements beneath the Lanthanides spanning atomic numbers $90$ ($\text{Th}$) through $103$ ($\text{Lr}$).