Periodic Table Notes

Groups: the columns (up and down) of the periodic table. Also called families.
All the elements in a group have similar properties like reactivity and number
of valence electrons
Periods: the rows (side to side) of the periodic table.
Elements on the same row do not have the same properties
How to read the boxes
Atomic Number: the number of protons
(positive charge). *Only on the periodic
table does the atomic number also
represent the number of electrons
(negative charge)
Atomic Mass: the number of protons plus the number of
neutrons (neutral charge).

Nonmetals (except Hydrogen) are found on the right side of the table. Metals are
found in the middle and on the left. The stair step separates the metals from the
nonmetals. Metalloids touch the stair step. They have properties of both metals
and nonmetals.
Metals: more mass, conduct heat and electricity
Nonmetals: less mass, are not conductive
Important groups
Group 1: Alkali Metals
Most reactive metals. They are less dense than other metals on the table.
Density = the ratio (relationship) of mass to volume
Group 2: Alkaline Earth Metals
They are the 2nd most reactive metals. They are denser than the alkali metals.
Groups 3-12: The transition metals

Most are solid, dense metals. They have high melting & boiling points. They conduct
electricity
Malleable = able to be bent
Group 13-16 (Stair Step): Metalloids
Properties of both metals and nonmetals. Make good semiconductors which are
used in electric circuits
Group 17: The Halogens
Most reactive nonmetals. Bonds well with alkali metals (Group 1)
Group 18: Noble Gases
Low boiling point
Inert: not reactive (they have a full outer electron shell)