Families of the Periodic Table

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Groups Noun

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[groops]

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Groups

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The vertical columns of the periodic table where elements share similar chemical properties due to having the same valence electrons.

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Example: This diagram shows the periodic table, where the vertical columns are called 'Groups.' Specific groups with similar properties, like the Alkali metals or Noble gases, are color-coded as families.

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Octet Rule Noun

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[ok-tet rool]

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Octet Rule

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The principle that atoms tend to react in ways that give them eight electrons in their outermost valence shell.

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Example: This Bohr model of a Sodium atom shows one electron in its outermost shell, which it will lose to achieve a stable outer shell with eight electrons (an octet).

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Cation Noun

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[kat-ahy-uhn]

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Cation

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An ion that has lost one or more electrons, resulting in a net positive electrical charge.

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Example: A neutral sodium atom (Na) loses its single outer electron, transforming it into a positively charged sodium ion (Na+), which is a cation.

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Anion Noun

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[an-ahy-uhn]

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Anion

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An ion that has gained one or more electrons, resulting in a net negative electrical charge.

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Example: A neutral chlorine atom gains one electron to become a chloride ion, which is an anion with more electrons (18) than protons (17).

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Reactivity Noun

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[ree-ak-tiv-i-tee]

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Reactivity

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The tendency or likelihood of a substance to undergo a chemical reaction, either by itself or with other materials.

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Example: This image shows that different metals have different levels of reactivity by comparing their reactions; Potassium explodes, Magnesium bubbles vigorously, and Zinc bubbles slowly.

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Diatomic Adjective

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[dahy-uh-tom-ik]

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Diatomic

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Describing a molecule that consists of two atoms, which can be of the same or different chemical elements.

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Example: This diagram shows two individual oxygen atoms on the left, which then bond by sharing electrons to form a single, stable diatomic oxygen molecule (O₂).

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Metals Noun

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[met-ls]

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Metals

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A class of elements that are typically shiny, lustrous, ductile, malleable, and are good conductors of heat and electricity.

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Example: This image shows a cube of the element Tungsten, a real-world example of a metal, displaying its information as found on the periodic table.

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Non-Metals Noun

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[non-met-ls]

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Non-Metals

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A class of elements that are typically dull, brittle, poor conductors of heat and electricity, and have low melting points.

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Example: This image shows common objects that contain non-metal elements, such as carbon (C) in a pencil, oxygen (O2) for breathing, and sulfur (S) in garlic.

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Metalloids Noun

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[met-l-oidz]

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Metalloids

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A class of elements that exhibit properties intermediate between those of metals and nonmetals, often acting as semiconductors.

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Example: This diagram shows the 'staircase' location of the metalloid family on the periodic table, which separates the metals from the nonmetals.

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Valence Electron Noun

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[vey-luhns ih-lek-tron]

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Valence Electron

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An electron located in the outermost electron shell of an atom that can participate in the formation of a chemical bond.

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Example: This Bohr model of an oxygen atom shows electrons in their shells; the six electrons in the outermost shell are the valence electrons.