Families of Elements
by Ciara Bold, college chem, pd 6
Hydrogen ¹
Hydrogen does not fit into any group or family.
Hydrogen is composed of only one
proton and one electron. It is placed
above other elements because it is a
gas and has only one valence electron.
Alkali Metals; Group 1
Alkali metals have one valence
electron, which makes them
very unstable as they are very
quick to lose that electron.
When a reaction occurs, a +1 cation is formed.
You can easily tell which elements are alkali
elements because they are soft and shiny
metals, and react violently with water.
Francium ⁸⁷
Francium is an alkali metal
because it has only one electron
in its outer shell.
Francium has a half
life of 22 minutes,
and has never been
weighed.
If Francium was placed in water, it would
have the reaction of a nuclear bomb.
There are only 20-30g of Francium found
in the Earth’s crust at one time.
Alkaline Earth Metals; Group 2
Alkali Earth Metals have only two valence electrons,
which makes them more stable than alkali metals.
When they react with other elements, a +2 cation is
formed. You can tell it’s an alkaline earth metal if it
reacts easily with halogens and water.
Radium ⁸⁸
Radium is an alkaline earth metal
because it has only 2 electrons
in its outer shell.
Radium is highly radioactive, and is also
used to make objects glow in the dark.
Before everyone knew the effects of
Radium, it was commonly used in
watches, panels, switches, and paints.
Radium was also used in water, food,
and makeup.
Transition Metals; Group 3-12
The main
characteristics of
transition metals is
that they’re malleable
and ductile.
Transition metals lose
electrons to form
positive ions. The
valence electrons vary.
Gold ⁷⁹
Gold is a transition metal
because it is malleable. It can
be made into different things,
such as jewelry.
Gold is used in electronic equipment
and electronic products. Gold is more
often made into different types of
jewelry. Gold is also used in medical
research since it’s biologically inactive.
It’s also used to protect satellites
from its high reflectiveness.
Boron Family; Group 13
Elements in the boron family have 3 valence
electrons. They can lose these to form +3
cations.
A main characteristic of elements in the Boron
Family is that they are all metals, except Boron
which is a semi-metal.
Boron
⁵
Boron is in the Boron family
because it has 3 valence electrons
in its outer shell.
Boron can be used and taken as
medicine. It can also be used to
strengthen bones. Boron was used
for preserving food during World War
I and I . It may also help increase
athletic performance.
Carbon Family; Group 14
Elements in the carbon family have 4 valence
electrons. They can form -4 or +4 cations.
Characteristics of elements in the carbon
family include being unreactive, so they’re
often found in nature and in compounds.
Lead ⁸²
Lead is in the Carbon Family
because it was 4 electrons in its
outer shell.
Lead is used to line tanks that hold
corrosive liquids. It also covers wires
to protect them from corrosion.
Lead was used in paint but was
discontinued due to lead poisoning.
Lead can be used to make fireworks.
Nitrogen Family; Group 15
Elements in the Nitrogen Family have 5
valence electrons. They can react with
other elements to form 1 -3 anion.
A characteristic of elements
in the nitrogen family would
be that all of the elements
aren’t metal and can be
found in nature.
Bismuth ⁸³
Bismuth is in the Nitrogen
Family because it has 5
electrons in its outer shell.
Bismuth can be used for fire detection due
to its low melting point. It can also be used
as a carrier for uranium in nuclear reactors.
Bismuth can be used to help people with
digestive problems. People with leukemia can
be treated with a specific isotope of
Bismuth.
Oxygen Family; Group 16
Elements in the Oxygen family have 6 valence
electrons. When they react with other elements
they for a -3 antion.
A characteristic of elements in the Oxygen Family
would be that they are commonly found in nature.
Polonium ⁸⁴
Polonium is in the Oxygen
Family because it has 6
electrons in its outer shell.
Polonium is used to eliminate static
electricity. It can also be used to
eliminate dust on photographic films.
Due to it’s half life of 138.4 days,
Polonium doesn’t have many uses. It’
s highly radioactive.
Halogen Family; Group 17
Elements in the Halogen Family have 7 valence
electrons. They may react with other elements
to form -1 anion.
A common characteristic of the Halogen family
would be that they mix with
Alkali Metals to form salts.
Astatine ⁸⁵
Astatine is in the Halogen
Family because it has 7
electrons in its outer shell.
Astatine can be used as a
radioactive tracer. It can also be
used in cancer treatment.
Astatine has been found in the
thyroid gland. It is the rarest
element found on Earth.
Noble Gases; Group 18
Noble Gases have 8
valence electrons. They
do not react with other
elements.
Three characteristics of Noble
Gases would be that they’re
tasteless, odorless, and colorless.
Radon ⁸⁶
Radon is a Noble Gas because
it has 8 electrons in its outer
shell.
Radon is soluble in water.
Radon is the second leading cause of
lung cancer in the US. It may be
found in basements
located underground.
Radon can easily
penetrate things
such as paper.
Lanthanide
Moving left to right, the
radius of each +3 ion steadily
decreases.
A characteristic of
lanthanides would be that
they burn easily in the air.
Actinide
Most Actinides have an
outer shell with 3
electrons.
A common characteristic
of Actinides would be
that they’re all radioactive.