Introduction to the elements BY: maia woods-chliboyko, grade nine student

aLkALI METALS Alkali metals, found in group one of the periodic table, are highly reactive metals. They do not occur naturally in nature. These metals have only one electron in their outer shell. They are ready to lose track of the electron in ionic bonding with other elements. These metals, like most other metals, are conductive of heat and electricity, malleable, and ductile; however, they are much softer than most others. These metals can also explode if near to or exposed to water. - Alkali metals are Lithium, Sodium, Potassium, Rubidium, Cesium, and Francium.

ALKALINE EARTH METALS Alkaline earth metals are found in the the second group found in the periodic table. They are all metallic elements. All of these an metals have an oxidation number of +2, which makes them very reactive. Because of their reactivity, these metals are not naturally found in nature. - some of these metals are Beryllium, Magnesium, Calcium, and Strontium.

Transition metals The 38 elements in groups 3 through 12 of the periodic table are called "transition metals”. As with all metals, they are malleable, ductile, and conduct heat and electricity. The interesting thing about these metals is that their valence electrons, or the electrons they use to combine with other element, are present in more than one shell. There are three noteworthy metals in the transition metals family – iron, colbalt, and nickel. -some examples are gold, platinum, zinc, copper, and silver.

OTHER METALS THESE METALS ARE LOCATED IN GROUPS 13, 14, AND 15. UNLIKE TRANSITION METALS, do not SHOW variable oxidation states, and their valence electrons are present ONLY in their outer shell. LIKE TRANSITION METALS AND LIKE OTHER METALS, THEY ARE MALLEABLE AND DUCTILE. ALL OF THESE METALS HAVE HIGH DENSITY AND ARE OPAQUE. They have THE oxidation numbers +3, ±4, and -3. - tin, lead, bismuth, gallium, aluminum, and thallium are some examples.

metalloids Metalloids are found along the line that distinguish metals from non metals. This line is drawn between boron and aluminum to the border between Polonium and Astatine. They have properties of both metals and non metals. Some metals, however, are only semi-conductors. This means they can carry an electrical charge only under special conditions. Useful in calculators and computers. - metals are Boron, Silicon, Germanium, Arsenic, Antimony, and Tellurium.

Non-metals These metals are the elements in groups 14-16 of the periodic table. They are not able to conduct heat and electricity well. They are also very brittle, and cannot be pounded into wire or sheets. They can be formed into two of the three stages of matter – gases and solids. They do not reflect light and have no metallic luster. - examples are, Hydrogen, Carbon, Nitrogen, Oxygen, and Phosphorus.

HALOGENS FIVE NON METALLIC ELEMENTS FOUND IN GROUP 17 OF THE PERIODIC TABLE. THE TERM “HALOGEN” MEANS “SALT-FORMER”. THIS IS BECAUSE COMPOUNDS CONTAINING HALOGENS are called “salts”. They have seven electrons in their outer shells, giving them an oxidation number of -1. Halogens exist at room temperature in all three states of matter. - halogens are Fluorine, Chlorine, Bromine, Iodine, Astatine.

Noble gases Found in group 18 of the periodic table. They were all considered insert gases until the 1960’s, as their oxidation number of 0 stops noble gases readily forming compounds. They have a maximum number of electrons in their outer shell. This makes them stable. - examples of noble gases are Helium, Neon, Argon, Krypton, and Xenon.

Rare earth elements These rare elements are made up of the lanthanide and actinide series. They are all made up of these two series. most of the elements made up of actinide are are called trans-uranium, which means man-made. Found in group 3 of the periodic table, and periods 6 and 7. -examples are Lanthanum, Cerium, Praseodymium, Neodymium and Promethium.