The Periodic Table Section 3

Section 3: Families of Elements

Preview• Key Ideas• Bellringer• Classifying Elements Further• Metals• Nonmetals• Semiconductors

The Periodic Table Section 3

Key Ideas

〉What does each element family have in common?

〉What are the families of metals?

〉What are some of the families of nonmetals?

〉What are semiconductors?

The Periodic Table Section 3

BellringerAre you familiar with some of the elements on the periodic table? There are probably many more elements that you have never heard of before. You may be surprised to learn that even though you have never heard of a certain element before, by looking at the periodic table, you can guess some of the characteristics of that element. The periodic table organizes elements into groups that have similar characteristics.

1. The elements below are classified as metals. You may be familiar with some of these elements. If you know of a specific use for an

element listed below, write it down.

silver, Ag gold, Au tin, Sn copper, Cu lead, Pb mercury, Hg aluminum, Al

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Bellringer, continued2. The elements below are classified as nonmetals. You may be familiar with some of these elements. If you know of a specific use for an element listed below, write it down.

helium, He chlorine, Cl oxygen, O iodine, I neon, Ne carbon, C

3. Can you think of any characteristics that the metals have in common? Do any of the metals have similar uses?

4. Look at the periodic table, and notice where each of the elements listed in questions 1 and 2 is located. Where are the metals located? Where are the nonmetals located?

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Classifying Elements Further〉What does each element family have in

common?〉In general, the elements in a family have the

same number of valence electrons.

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Metals〉What are the families of metals?

〉Families of metals include the alkali metals, the alkaline-earth metals, and the transition metals.

– alkali metal: one of the elements of Group 1 of the periodic table

– alkaline-earth metal: one of the elements of Group 2 of the periodic table

– transition metal: one of the metals that can use the inner shell before using the outer shell to bond

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Metals, continued• The alkali metals are very reactive.

– Alkali metals are in Group 1, on the left edge of the periodic table.

– They are reactive because they have one valence electron that is easily removed.

– They are soft and shiny, and many have similar melting points, boiling points, and densities.

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Metals, continued• Alkaline-earth metals form compounds that are found in limestone and in the human body.

– Alkaline-earth metals are in Group 2.

– Alkaline-earth metals are less reactive than alkali metals, but still react to form positive ions.

– In general, alkaline-earth metals are harder, denser, stronger, and have higher melting points than alkali metals.

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Metals, continued• Transition metals are in the middle of the periodic table.

– With the exception of mercury, transition metals are

harder, more dense, and have higher melting points than alkali metals and alkaline-earth metals.

– They are also less reactive, but they can form positive ions.

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Nonmetals〉What are some of the families of nonmetals?

〉Families of nonmetals include the noble gases and the halogens.

– noble gas: one of the elements of Group 18 of the periodic table– halogen: one of the elements of Group 17 of the periodic table

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Nonmetals, continued• The noble gases are relatively inert.

– The noble gases are in Group 18.

– They exist as single atoms instead of as molecules.

– They are inert, or unreactive, because their s and p orbitals are filled. In general, they do not form ions or compounds.

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Nonmetals, continued• The halogens combine easily with metals to form salts.

– The halogens are in Group 17.

– With the addition of a single electron, halogens become stable.

– They combine easily with metals (especially alkali metals) to form salts.

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Nonmetals, continued• Nonmetals and their compounds are plentiful on Earth.

– Six other nonmetals are on the right side of the periodic table.

• Carbon can form many compounds.– There are millions of

carbon-containing compounds.

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Semiconductors〉What are semiconductors?

〉As their name suggests, semiconductors are able to conduct heat and electricity under certain conditions.