Families of Elements
Families of Elements
The periodic table is organized into groups or families of elements with similar chemical properties.
These families are arranged in vertical columns and share characteristics due to their similar electron
configurations. Below are the main families of elements in the periodic table:
Elements: Lithium (Li), Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), Rubidium (Rb), Cesium (Cs), Francium (Fr)
Characteristics:
o Highly reactive, especially with water
o Soft metals that can be cut with a knife
o Have one valence electron
o Reactivity increases down the group
Elements: Beryllium (Be), Magnesium (Mg), Calcium (Ca), Strontium (Sr), Barium (Ba), Radium
(Ra)
Characteristics:
o Reactive, but less so than alkali metals
o Harder and denser than alkali metals
o Have two valence electrons
o Commonly form +2 cations
Examples: Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), Nickel (Ni), Silver (Ag), Gold (Au)
Characteristics:
o Less reactive than alkali and alkaline earth metals
o Exhibit a wide range of oxidation states
o Often form colored compounds
o Good conductors of heat and electricity
Elements: Fluorine (F), Chlorine (Cl), Bromine (Br), Iodine (I), Astatine (At), Tennessine (Ts)
Characteristics:
o Highly reactive nonmetals
o Have seven valence electrons
o Form salts when combined with metals
o Reactivity decreases down the group
Elements: Helium (He), Neon (Ne), Argon (Ar), Krypton (Kr), Xenon (Xe), Radon (Rn), Oganesson
(Og)
Characteristics:
o Inert gases with very low reactivity
o Have full valence electron shells
o Used in lighting and as inert environments in chemical processes
6. Lanthanides (Part of Period 6)
9. Other Nonmetals
Examples: Carbon (C), Nitrogen (N), Oxygen (O), Phosphorus (P), Sulfur (S)
Characteristics:
o Diverse properties
o Poor conductors of heat and electricity
o Found in various biological and chemical processes