The Periodic Table

Specification:

• Understand the terms group and period
• Recall the positions of metals and non-metals in the Periodic Table
• Explain the classification of elements as metals or non-metals on the basis of their electrical conductivity and the acid-base character of their oxides
• Understand why elements in the same group of the Periodic Table have similar chemical properties
• Recall the noble gases (group 0) as a family of inert gases and explain the lack of reactivity in terms of their electronic configuration

Notes:

• The periodic table is a list of elements arranged in order of their increasing atomic (proton) number.
• A period is a horizontal row of elements--the number of electron shells is the same as the period number of the element.
• A group is a vertical column of elements--the number of valence electrons (outer shell electrons) is the same as the group number of the element.
  • Since elements with similar electronic configurations have similar chemical properties, we can deduce that elements in the same group have similar chemical properties.
• The block of metals between Groups 2 and 3 are known as the transition elements/metals, these form coloured compounds.
  
   

Chemical Properties
Metals	Non-metals
Usually have 1-3 electrons in their outer shell Lose their valence electrons easily Form oxides that are basic Are good reducing agents	Usually have 4-8 electrons in their outer shell Gain or share valence electrons Form oxides that are acidic Are good oxidizing agents
Physical Properties
Metals	Non-metals
Good electrical and heat conductors Malleable—can be hit and shaped Ductile—can be stretched into wire Possess metallic luster (shiny) Opaque as thin sheet Solid at room temperature (except Mercury [Hg]- liquid)	Poor conductors of heat and electricity Brittle- if a solid Non-ductile Do not possess metallic luster Transparent as a thin sheet Solids, liquids or gases at room temperature

 

Noble Gases (Group 0):

• Least reactive elements in the periodic table.
• Apart from helium (which has 2), the rest have 8 valence electrons--all have full outer shells.
• Their full electronic structures make them unreactive.
• Group 0 elements also referred to as inert gases (because they are unreactive) or rare gases (because less than 1% of the air is made up of these gases).
• Noble gases do not react to form compounds because their atoms have full outer shells of electrons, it is energetically easier to stay as they are. 
   
  The noble gases are:
• Monatomic elements
• All colorless gases at room temperature
• Have low melting and boiling points that increase going down the group (As atoms get bigger, there is greater intermolecular attraction that require more energy to break.)
• Insoluble in water
• Unreactive

just thought this was cool :P