Elements are classified into groups based on their chemical properties and behaviors. These groups are arranged in a tabular format known as the periodic table. Each column in the periodic table represents a group of elements with similar characteristics. The groups are numbered from 1 to 18, with each group being referred to by either its group number or its IUPAC name.
Periodic Table Organization
The Periodic Table is a tabular arrangement of chemical elements, organized on the basis of their atomic number, electron configurations, and recurring chemical properties. Another name for groups of elements is “families” because elements in the same group share similar chemical properties.
There are 18 vertical columns in the periodic table, which are called groups or families. The groups are numbered 1-18 from left to right. Elements in the same group have the same number of valence electrons, which are the electrons in the outermost shell of an atom. Valence electrons determine the chemical properties of an element.
The periodic table can be divided into four blocks based on the type of orbital in which the valence electrons are found. These blocks are:
- s-block (Groups 1 and 2): Elements in the s-block have valence electrons in the s orbital.
- p-block (Groups 13-18): Elements in the p-block have valence electrons in the p orbital.
- d-block (Groups 3-12): Elements in the d-block have valence electrons in the d orbital. These elements are also known as transition metals.
- f-block (below the main body of the table): Elements in the f-block have valence electrons in the f orbital. These elements are also known as inner transition metals.
Properties of Groups
Elements in the same group share similar chemical properties because they have the same number of valence electrons. Some of the properties that are affected by the number of valence electrons include:
- Reactivity: Elements with more valence electrons are more reactive than elements with fewer valence electrons.
- Oxidation state: The oxidation state of an element is the number of electrons that it can gain or lose. Elements in the same group have the same number of valence electrons and, therefore, can have the same oxidation states.
- Formation of ions: Elements with more valence electrons are more likely to form negative ions, while elements with fewer valence electrons are more likely to form positive ions.
Examples of Groups
Some examples of groups in the periodic table include:
- Group 1: Alkali metals (Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Fr)
- Group 2: Alkaline earth metals (Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ra)
- Group 17: Halogens (F, Cl, Br, I, At)
- Group 18: Noble gases (He, Ne, Ar, Kr, Xe, Rn)
The following table shows the groups in the periodic table and some of their properties:
| Group | Name | Valence Electrons | Properties |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alkali metals | 1 | Highly reactive, easily form cations |
| 2 | Alkaline earth metals | 2 | Reactive, form cations with a charge of 2+ |
| 13 | Boron group | 3 | Form covalent compounds, can have multiple oxidation states |
| 14 | Carbon group | 4 | Form covalent compounds, can have multiple oxidation states |
| 15 | Nitrogen group | 5 | Can form both covalent and ionic compounds, can have multiple oxidation states |
| 16 | Oxygen group | 6 | Form covalent compounds, can have multiple oxidation states |
| 17 | Halogens | 7 | Highly reactive, easily form anions |
| 18 | Noble gases | 8 | Non-reactive, do not form compounds |
Question: What is another name for categories of elements?
Answer: Groups of elements are also known as families. Families are vertical columns and there are 18 families in the periodic table.
Question: Can you describe how transition metals in groups are named?
Answer: Transition metals in groups have names that end with “-ium”. For example, iron is a transition metal in group 8, and its name ends with “-ium”.
Question: What is the purpose of classifying elements into groups?
Answer: Classifying elements into groups allows scientists to compare the properties of elements with similar chemical properties. This comparison helps scientists to predict the behavior of elements and to understand how they react with each other.
And there you have it, folks! Now you know that the fancy term for groups of elements on the periodic table is “families.” Thanks for sticking with us through this little science chat. If you’re craving more knowledge bombs, be sure to drop by again soon. We’ve got plenty more where that came from. Cheers!