Groups and periods

The periodic table is a way of arranging the elements so patterns in their properties and
reactions can be identified and explained. Most elements are metals. The noble gases are very
unreactive.

Metals and non-metals

Moving from left to right across a period, the elements become less metallic. This is related
to the increase in the number of electrons in the outer shell of their atoms. The atoms become
more likely to gain or share electrons, rather than lose them when they form compounds.

Metals

Metals tend to have similar properties. They are always good conductors of electricity, and
they usually share these properties:

 high melting point

 good conductors of heat
 malleable (can be beaten into shape)
 shiny when cut
 ductile (can be pulled into wires)

There are some exceptions though. For example, mercury is a liquid at room temperature.
The metals in Group 1, such as lithium, sodium and potassium, are all soft.

The properties of metals can be used to explain typical uses of metals. For example, copper is
used for wiring because it is ductile and a good conductor of electricity. Its ability to conduct
heat is not relevant for this use.

Non-metals

Non-metals have a variety of properties, but very few are good conductors of electricity.
Graphite (a form of carbon) is a rare example of a non-metal that conducts electricity very
well.

Many non-metals have a low melting and boiling point. When non-metals are in a solid state,
they are usually brittle so you can’t beat them into shape.

Transition metals

Transition metals tend to have the typical metallic properties listed above. They also tend to
form coloured compounds. The elements and their compounds are often good catalysts.

Metal and non-metal oxides

When a non-metal reacts with oxygen, it forms a non-metal oxide. These compounds are
usually acidic.
For example, sulfur reacts with oxygen to form sulfur dioxide.

S + O2 → SO2

And sulfur dioxide dissolves in water to form sulfurous acid:

H2O(l) + SO2(g) → H2SO3(aq)

This is one of the acids found in acid rain.

Metal oxides are usually bases. This means that they can neutralise acids. If a base dissolves
in water, it is an alkali. Alkaline solutions have a pH of more than 7.

Copper oxide is a base, and will react with sulfuric acid to make the salt copper sulfate.

Group 0 – the noble gases

Elements in the same group have similar chemical properties because the atoms of those
elements have the same number of electrons in their outer shell.

Lithium, sodium and potassium are in Group 1. They all have one electron in their outer
shell. When they react, they lose this outer electron - so they react in similar ways and form
similar compounds.

The noble gases have the following properties in common:

 they are non-metals

 they are very unreactive gases
 they are colourless
 they exist as single atoms (they are monatomic)
 The atoms of the noble gases have full outer shells of electrons. Helium atoms have
two electrons in their outer shell. The atoms of the other noble gases have eight
electrons in their outer shells.

Uses of the noble gases

 The uses of the noble gases are usually linked to their inertness, or to their tendency to
give off light when an electric current is passed through them.

Noble
Uses
gas
Party balloons, airships, cooling superconducting electromagnets (eg in MRI
Helium
scanners), gas for scuba diving
Neon Red neon signs, lasers
Argon Shielding gas for welding, surrounding the filament in an old-fashioned lightbulb
Xenon Lights, lasers
Krypton Lights, photographic flashguns
Glossary

1. acid rainRain that contains dissolved acidic gases such as nitrogen oxides and sulfur
dioxide.
2. acidicHaving a pH less than 7.
3. alkaliA base which is soluble in water.
4. atomAll elements are made of atoms. An atom consists of a nucleus containing
protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons.
5. catalystA substance that changes the rate of a chemical reaction without being
changed by the reaction itself.
6. compoundA substance formed by the chemical union of two or more elements.
7. conductorA material which allows charge to move easily through it.
8. electronSubatomic particle, with a negative charge and a negligible mass relative to
protons and neutrons.
9. elementA substance made of one type of atom only.
10. inertUnreactive.
11. neutraliseTo be made neutral by removing any acidic or alkaline nature.
12. periodA row of elements in the periodic table.
13. periodic tableA tabular representation of all known elements in order based on atomic
number, eg all the noble gases are found on the right of the periodic table.
14. pHScale of acidity or alkalinity. A pH (power of hydrogen) value below 7 is acidic, a
pH value above 7 is alkaline.
15. propertiesThe characteristics of something. Chemical properties include the reactions
a substance can take part in. Physical properties include colour and boiling point.