The Periodic Table

The periodic table is divided into groups (columns) and periods rows.

Periods have the same number of electron orbitals.

Groups have the same number of electrons in their outer orbital (valance electrons)

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Metals vs. Non-Metals

Alkali Metals

• low melting and boiling points compared to other metals

• they are very soft and can be cut easily with a knife

• they have low densities• react quickly with water• Form bases in water.

Alkali Earth Metals

• shiny.• silvery-white• somewhat reactive

metals• low densities• low melting and boiling

points

Transition Metals• they form colored compounds• they are good conductors of

heat and electricity• they can be hammered or

bent into shape easily• they are less reactive than

other metals• they have high melting points

(except for mercury) • they are usually hard and

tough• they have high densities

Basic Metals

Metalloids

• Solids• Can be shiny or dull• Ductile—made into

wires• Malleable—pounded

into sheets• Conduct heat and

electricity better than nonmetals but not as well as metals

Halogen Family

• Low melting and boiling points

• Brittle when solid• Poor conductors of

heat and electricity• Have colored vapors• Very reactive with

group 1 and 2.

Noble Gases

• stable (their valence shell is full)

• generally non-reactive• conduct electricity• fluoresce• odorless and colorless

Lanthanide Series• Silvery-white metals that tarnish when

exposed to air, forming their oxides.• Relatively soft metals. Hardness

increases somewhat with higher atomic number.

• High melting points and boiling points• Very reactive.• React with water• Burn easily in air• Many rare earth compounds fluoresce

strongly under ultraviolet light.• Lanthanide ions tend to be pale colors• The lanthanides react readily with most

nonmetals

Actinide Series

• All are radioactive.• The metals tarnish

readily in air.• High density• They react with boiling

water or dilute acid to release hydrogen gas.

• Actinides combine directly with most non-metals.