Families & Periods

Families, also known as groups, go vertically in the periodic table. There are seventeen of them and elements in the same family have the same number of valence electrons. Periods go horizontally in the periodic table. There are seven of them, and elements in the same period have the same number of orbitals.

Role of Protons

Protons determine the identity of an element. The number of protons in an element shows where the element is placed on the periodic table, because the number of protons is the atomic number of an element.

Elemental Properties

Metals(Pink)- Metals are shiny, not brittle, malleable, and conductors.

Metalloids(Green)- Metalloids are shiny, brittle, and have semi-conductivity.

Nonmetals(Blue)- Nonmetals are brittle, dull, non-malleable, and insulators.

Valence Electrons

Valence electrons are the electrons in the outermost shell. If there are eight valence electrons the element is non-reactive. Anything less is reactive, the only exception to the element, Helium. The amount of valence electrons determines the element's place by the families.

Physical Properties- High conductivity, lustre, malleable, ductile

Chemical Properties- One valence electron, Highly reactive

Examples of Elements- Lithium, Sodium, Potassium

Alkali Metals

Rubidium is used to make ceramics.

Lithium is used in glass.

Physical Properties- High conductivity, lustre, malleable, ductile

Chemical Properties- Two valence electrons, High reactivity but less than alkali metals

Examples of Elements- Beryllium, Magnesium, Calcium

Alkaline Earth Metals

Strontium is used to make fireworks.

Beryllium is used to make gears and cogs.

Physical Properties- Good conductors, malleable, hard

Chemical Properties- The reactivity of transition metals vary.

Examples of Elements- Iron, Copper, Zinc

Transition Metal

Titanium is used in mobile phones.

Cobalt is used to make airbags.

Physical Properties- Varied properties, consists of metalloids and metals

Chemical Properties- Three valence electrons, High reactivity but less than alkaline earth metals, consists of metals and metalloids

Examples of Elements- Boron, Aluminum, Indium

Boron Family

Boron is used to make laundry detergents.

Gallium is used in electric circuits.

Physical Properties- Varied properties, consists of nonmetals, metalloids, and metals

Chemical Properties- Four valence electrons, reactive but less than Boron Family

Examples of Elements- Carbon, Silicon, Tin

Carbon Family

Lead is used for car batteries.

Carbon is used to make graphite.