Families/Groups

These are the verticle columns on the periodic table. They are sorted this way because they have similar chemical behavior, and also the same number of valence electrons. There are 18 Groups in the periodic table.

Periods

These are the horizontal rows of the periodic table. They are sorted by the number of energy shells. There are 7 periods on the periodic table.

Protons

Protons are the subatomic parts that identify an element. Protons are located in the nucleus. They weigh 1 amu. The more or fewer protons decide what element the atom' is physically, chemically, and overall what element it is.

Metals

Metals take up the bulk of the periodic table. They

are shiny, malleable, and good conductors. 

Metalloids

Metalloids are located on the right side of the periodic table and are in a skinny diagonal. They are brittle, semiconductors, and they have a luster.

NonMetals

Nonmetals are located mainly on the right side of the periodic table. They are dull, brittle, and bad conductors of heat and electricity.

Valence of  Electrons

The valence of electrons is used to figure out how reactive an element is. The amount of electrons on the outer ring of an atom determines how reactive an element is. If the element's rings are all filled up then it is not reactive, but if there are different amounts of electrons then it is reactive.

Family Names on the Periodic Table

Alkali Metals, Alkaline Earth Metals, Transition Metals, Boron Family, Carbon Family, Nitrogen Family, Oxygen Family, Halogens, and Noble Gases

Alkali Metals

These metals are great conductors of heat and electricity. They are lustrous, malleable, and ductile. Some members of this family are Sodium, Lithium, and potassium. Since all alkali metals of 1 valence of electrons, they are very reactive.  Sodium is used daily as sodium chloride more commonly known as table salt. We also consume potassium the electrolyte from eating a banana.

Alkaline Earth Metals

These metals are shiny, good conductors of electricity, and also have low melting points. Alkaline Earth metals have 2 valence of electrons, they are highly reactive too. Magnesium calcium, and radium, are just some of the elements included in this family. A form of calcium is also in toothpaste. Radium was used in many cancer treatments in the 20th century.