Chemical Families
Alkali Metals Elements in this family: Location: Group 1A (Column 1) Physical Properties: Soft enough to be cut with a knife, Low melting point
Alkali Metals Valence Electrons: 1 Charge Formed: +1 Reactivity: Highly reactive especially with water
Alkaline Earth Metals Elements in this family: Location: Group 2A (Column 2) Physical Properties: Harder than alkali metals, Good conductors
Alkaline Earth Metals Valence Electrons: 2 Charge Formed: +2 Reactivity: Somewhat reactive
Transition Metals Elements in this family: Location: D sublevel (Column 3-12) Physical Properties: High Melting/Boiling points, Dense, Shiny, Lustrous
Transition Metals Valence Electrons: “Multivalent” Charge Formed: Various Positive Reactivity: Relatively unreactive
Halogens Elements in this family: Location: Group 7A (Column 17) Physical Properties: Contains elements in all different states of matter
Halogens Valence Electrons: 7 Charge Formed: -1 Reactivity: Highly reactive Why are the halogens so reactive?
Noble Gases Elements in this family: Location: Group 8A (Column 18) Physical Properties: Odorless, colorless gases at room temperature
Noble Gases Valence Electrons: 8 Charge Formed: 0 Reactivity: Unreactive