The Periodic Table Truman Chemistry Dept.

The Current Periodic Table The horizontal rows are called periods and are labeled from 1 to 7. They represent energy levels. The vertical columns are called groups are labeled from 1 to 18.

Groups…Here’s Where the Periodic Table Gets Useful!! Elements in the same group have similar chemical and physical properties!! Why?? They have the same number of valence electrons. They will form the same kinds of ions.

Hydrogen Hydrogen belongs to a family of its own. Hydrogen is a reactive gas. Hydrogen was involved in the explosion of the Hindenberg. Hydrogen is promising as an alternative fuel source for automobiles

Alkali Metals 1st column on the periodic table (Group 1) not including hydrogen. Very reactive metals, especially with water. Soft enough to cut with a butter knife

Alkaline Earth Metals Second column on the periodic table. (Group 2) Reactive metals that are always combined with nonmetals in nature. Several of these elements are important mineral nutrients (such as Mg and Ca

Transition Metals Elements in groups 3-12 Less reactive harder metals Includes metals used in jewelry and construction. Metals used “as metal.”

Boron Family Elements in group 13 Aluminum metal was once rare and expensive, not a “disposable metal.”

Carbon Family Elements in group 14 Contains elements important to life and computers. Carbon is the basis for an entire branch of chemistry. Silicon and Germanium are important semiconductors.

Nitrogen Family Elements in group 15 Nitrogen makes up over ¾ of the atmosphere. Nitrogen and phosphorus are both important in living things. Some matches are made with phosphorus.

Oxygen Family Elements in group 16 Oxygen is necessary for respiration and powers may of life’s reactions. Many things that stink, contain sulfur (rotten eggs, garlic, some matches, skunks,etc.)

Halogens Elements in group 17 Very reactive, nonmetals Usually combined with group 1 and 2 elements. Used as disinfectants and to strengthen teeth.

The Noble Gases

The Noble Gases Elements in group 18 VERY unreactive “snooty” gases Used in lighted “neon” signs Have a full valence shell.

The periodic table is also arranged by subshell… Elements are arranged by blocks based on which subshell is being filled. The s-block contains the alkali and alkaline earth metals The d-block contains the transition metals The f-block has the lanthanide and actinide series

The blocks

Metal, semimetals and non-metals There is an easy way to tell where metals, semimetals and non-metals are found on the periodic table. There is a bold dividing line. Any element touching the line is a semi-metal (except Al and Po) Any element left of the line is a metal. Any element right of the line is a non-metal

Metals, metalloids and non-metals

Poor metals Unlike metalloids or semi-metals, which have properties of both metals and non-metals, poor metals are usually poor conductors of electricity and heat. One example of a poor metal is lead. Lead is a poor conductor of heat and thus melts at low temperatures.

Poor metals

Solids, liquids and gases All metals are solid. Semi-metals mostly have properties of solids. Carbon is usually found as a solid. The only 2 elements on the periodic table found as liquids are Bromine and Mercury. Most of the non-metals are gases.