Groups on the Periodic Table:
 Common Groups/Families on the Periodic Table:
 Alkali Metals  Group 1A
 Alkaline Earth Metals  Group 2A
 Aluminum Family  Group 3A
 Carbon Family  Group 4A
 Nitrogen Family  Group 5A
 Oxygen Family  Group 6A
 Halogens  Group 7A
 Noble Gases  Group 8A
 Characteristics of Alkali Metals:
 Located in Group 1A
 Soft Metals
 One Valence Electron
 Reacts Violently with Water
 Lowest Ionization Energy
 Solids
 Electron Configuration Ends in s1
 Forms a +1 Ion
 Most Reactive Metals
 Characteristics of Alkaline Earth Metals:
 Located in Group 2A
 Soft Metals
 Two Valence Electrons
 Low Ionization Energy
 Solids
 Electron Configuration Ends in s2
 Forms a +2 Ion
 Highly Reactive Metals
 Characteristics of Transition Metals:
 Known as Group B Elements
 Located Between Groups 2A and 3A
 Malleable (Hammered into Thin Sheets)
 Ductile (Drawn into Thin Wires)
 Forms Positive Ions (+1, +2, and +3 Ions)
 Forms Colored Compounds
 Harder than Group 1A and 2A Elements
 Good Conductors of Heat and Electricity
 Higher Melting Point than Group 1A and 2A
 Electron Configuration Ends in dx
 Characteristics of Inner Transition Metals:
 Also Known as the Rare Earth Metals
 Bottom Two Rows of the Periodic Table
 Lanthanide Series (Top Row)
 Actinide Series (Bottom Row)
 Electron Configuration Ends in fx
 Elements with an Atomic Number Greater than 82 are Radioactive
 Elements with an Atomic Number Greater than 92 are Synthetic (Man-Made)
 Characteristics of Halogens:
 Located in Group 7A
 Means “Salt Formers”
 Very Reactive Elements
 Seven Valence Electrons
 All are Nonmetals, Except for Astatine (At)
 Only Group that Contains Solids, Liquids, and Gases
 Forms a -1 Ion
 Electron Configuration Ends in p5
 Characteristics of Noble Gases:
 Also Known as Inert Gases
 Located in Group 8A
 Very Unreactive Elements
 All Gases
 All Nonmetals
 Odorless, Colorless, and Tasteless
 Trace Amounts Found in Air
 Electron Configuration Ends in p6