Families

Alkali Metals

• very reactive ⇒ never found naturally in pure form’

• shiny

• soft

• low melting point

• react quickly with air and water

  • explodes near water

Alkaline Earth Metals

• not as soft as alkali metals

• lustrous

• slightly less reactive than alkali metals

• never found naturally in their pure form

• shiny

• form compounds that are insoluble in water

Transition Metals

• largest category

• all at room temp are solid expect mercury

• moderate range of reactivity

• usually shiny, sliver

• usually malleable

• good conductors of heat & electricity

Halogens

• most reactive non-metals ⇒ rarely found in elemental form

• corrosive

• F and Cl are gases

• Br is a liquid

• I is a solid

Noble Gases

• non-reactive (stable)

• colorless, odourless, & tasteless

• are gas at room temperature

• glow when electiricty is passed through them

Lanthanides:

• 57-71

• rare earth metals

• F-block elements

Actinides:

• 89-103

• most radioactive

• mostly humans-made

Hydrogen

• unique

• one electron

• reactive

• colorless, odourless, tasteless

• highly flammable gas

• When reacting: sometimes gains sometimes lose an electron

• unstable electron structure

• main element in living things and fossil fuels