Periodic Table: Group Names: Videos & Practice Problems

The periodic table organizes elements into seven horizontal periods and 18 vertical groups, also known as families or series. Elements in the same group share similar chemical properties due to their electron arrangements. Special names are given to certain groups: alkali metals (Group 1), alkaline earth metals (Group 2), pnictogens (Group 15), chalcogens (Group 16), halogens (Group 17), and noble gases (Group 18). Two additional rows, the lanthanides and actinides, are placed separately at the bottom. The periodic table is dynamic, with the potential for new elements to be added as discoveries are made, indicating that the current seven periods could expand in the future. Understanding the layout of the periodic table is foundational in chemistry, as it provides insights into the properties and behaviors of elements.

Periodic Table: Group Names

The periodic table is organized into periods and groups, which help categorize the elements based on their properties. Periods refer to the 7 horizontal rows of the table, starting from the left. For instance, the first row includes hydrogen (H) and helium (He), making it Period 1. The second row, which includes lithium (Li) to neon (Ne), is Period 2, and this pattern continues through to Period 7. Notably, the periodic table is dynamic; while it currently contains 7 periods, advancements in technology and exploration may lead to the discovery of new elements, potentially adding more periods in the future.

In contrast, groups are the vertical columns of the periodic table, also known as families or series. There are 18 groups, each containing elements that share similar chemical properties due to their electron arrangements. For example, Group 1, which includes hydrogen (H) down to francium (Fr), is known as the alkali metals, while Group 2, from beryllium (Be) to radium (Ra), is referred to as alkaline earth metals. Other notable groups include the nitrogen group (Group 15), the chalcogens (Group 16), the halogens (Group 17), and the noble gases (Group 18). The term "noble gases" reflects their stability, although some can react under certain conditions.

Additionally, there are two special rows at the bottom of the periodic table: the lanthanides, which follow lanthanum (La), and the actinides, which follow actinium (Ac). Understanding the structure of the periodic table, including the distinction between periods and groups, is essential for grasping the relationships and behaviors of different elements in chemistry.

Periodic Table: Group Names Example

In the periodic table, elements are organized into periods (rows) and groups (columns), with the 4th period containing a variety of elements classified as metals, nonmetals, and metalloids. To identify a metal in the 4th period, we examine the elements located in that specific row.

Starting with sodium (Na), it is indeed a metal; however, it is located in the 3rd period, thus disqualifying it from our search. Strontium (Sr) is another metal, but it resides in the 5th period. Next, we consider bromine (Br), which is found in the 4th period. Despite its location, bromine is classified as a nonmetal, so it does not meet our criteria.

Calcium (Ca) is positioned in the 4th period and is classified as a metal, making it a suitable candidate. Lastly, aluminum (Al) is also a metal, but it is located in the 3rd period, which eliminates it from consideration.

Therefore, the only metal present in the 4th period is calcium, confirming it as the correct answer.

Which of the following is a metalloid that is also a chalcogen?

• A. B
• B. Ge
• C. Te
• D. As
• E. Cl

Answer: (C)

Here’s what students ask on this topic:

How many groups are there in the periodic table?

The periodic table is organized into 18 vertical columns known as groups or families. These groups are numbered from 1 to 18, according to the IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) system. Each group contains elements that have similar chemical properties, largely due to the fact that they have the same number of valence electrons. For example, Group 1 contains the alkali metals, which all have one valence electron and are highly reactive. On the other end, Group 18 contains the noble gases, which are inert because they have a full valence shell. Understanding the groupings is essential for predicting the behavior of different elements and their potential chemical reactions.

What are the groups on the periodic table?

The periodic table is organized into several groups based on the properties and configurations of the elements. The vertical columns on the periodic table are known as groups or families, and there are 18 of them in total.

1. Alkali Metals (Group 1): These are highly reactive elements, especially with water, and include lithium (Li), sodium (Na), and potassium (K).
2. Alkaline Earth Metals (Group 2): These are also reactive, though less so than Group 1, and include beryllium (Be), magnesium (Mg), and calcium (Ca).
3. Transition Metals (Groups 3-12): These elements are less reactive, have high melting points, and include iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and gold (Au).
4. Boron Group (Group 13): This group includes both metals and metalloids, such as boron (B) and aluminum (Al).
5. Carbon Group (Group 14): This diverse group includes nonmetals, metalloids, and metals like carbon (C) and silicon (Si).
6. Pnictogens (Group 15): This group contains a variety of elements including nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P).
7. Chalcogens (Group 16): This group includes oxygen (O) and sulfur (S).
8. Halogens (Group 17): These are highly reactive nonmetals, including fluorine (F) and chlorine (Cl).
9. Noble Gases (Group 18): These are inert gases, including helium (He) and neon (Ne).

What is a period on the periodic table?

A period on the periodic table refers to the horizontal rows of elements. Each period starts with an element that has a single electron in a new outermost shell and ends with a noble gas that has a full outer shell. The periodic table has seven periods, with each subsequent period indicating a new principal energy level for the electrons of the atoms in that row.

As you move from left to right across a period, the atomic number increases, meaning each element has one more proton and one more electron than the element before it. This incremental increase changes the chemical properties of the elements as you proceed across the period. For instance, elements on the left side of a period tend to be metals with fewer electrons in their outer shell, while those on the right side are nonmetals with nearly full outer shells, resulting in different reactivity and bonding characteristics. The length of each period is determined by the number of orbitals available for electrons to occupy in that energy level.

What is the difference between a period and a group on the periodic table of elements?

On the periodic table of elements, a period refers to the horizontal rows. There are seven periods, which correspond to the number of electron shells an atom has. As you move from left to right across a period, the atomic number increases, and the elements become less metallic. Each period starts with an alkali metal and ends with a noble gas, except for the first period.

In contrast, a group (or family) is a vertical column on the periodic table. There are 18 groups, and elements within the same group share similar chemical properties because they have the same number of electrons in their outermost shell, known as valence electrons. For example, all elements in group 1 are alkali metals and have one valence electron, which makes them highly reactive. Groups can help predict how elements will react chemically and are often labeled with either a number (1 to 18) or a specific name, such as the halogens in group 17 or the noble gases in group 18.