Topic: Families of Elements PSSA: A/S8.C.1.1

Objective: TLW identify members and characteristics of each of the major families of elements.

MI #1: Alkali Metals Group 1 of the Periodic Table 1 valence electron Low density and melting point Extremely soft – can be cut with a knife Highly reactive – never found uncombined in nature Includes Na, K, and Li

MI #2: Alkaline Earth Metals Group 2 of the Periodic Table 2 valence electrons Higher densities than the Alkali Metals Highly reactive, but not as reactive as the Alkali Metals Includes Be, Mg, Ca, and Ba

MI #3: Transition Metals Groups 3-12 on the Periodic Table 1 or 2 valence electrons Transition metals tend to be good conductors and brightly colored. They are not as reactive as Groups 1 and 2. They will typically lose 1 or 2 electrons during bonding. Includes Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ag, Pt, Au, and Hg

MI #4: Boron Family Group 13 3 valence electrons Boron is a metalloid, the rest of the family are metals Boron is never found uncombined; Aluminum often bonds with Oxygen Includes B and Al

MI #5: Carbon Family Group 14 4 valence electrons C is a nonmetal, Si and Ge are metalloids, Sn and Pb are metals Carbon forms millions of compounds and is the basis for organic chemistry Includes C, Si, Sn, and Pb

MI #6: Nitrogen Family Group 15 5 valence electrons Tend to share (and sometimes gain) electrons during bonding Nitrogen is stable and does not readily form bonds, but P is never found uncombined in nature Includes N and P

So What…? Real Life Application Understanding the characteristics of the families of elements allows us to better understand chemical bonding and the formation of basic chemical compounds.