Families of Elements
Section 3.3
Major Classifications• Metals
– Shiny solids– Easy to stretch and shape– Good conductors of heat and electricity– Usually form CATIONS
• Semiconductors– Intermediate conductors of heat and electricity– Usually form CATIONS
• Nonmetals– Solids, liquids, or gases– Solids are usually dull and brittle– Poor conductors of heat and electricity– Usually form ANIONS
Alkali Metals
Alkali Metals
• Group 1 (first vertical column)• All are relatively soft metals• All are highly reactive (explode in water)• All have one valence electron (one electron in
their outer shell)• All form cations with a +1 charge when they
lose that valence electron
Alkaline Earth Metals
Alkaline Earth Metals
• Group 2 (second vertical column)• All are reactive, but less-reactive than Alkali
metals• All have two valence electrons (two electrons
in their outer shell)• All form cations with a +2 charge when they
lose those valence electrons
Transition Metals
Transition Metals
• Groups 3 to 12 • Much less reactive than Alkali Metals or
Alkaline Earth Metals• Some have different numbers of valence
electrons• All form cations• Many different cations are possible for any
one element (Au+, Au3+)
Halogens
Halogens
• Group 17• Highly reactive, especially with alkali metals• Range from gas to liquid to solid as you move
down the column• All form diatomic molecules (like Cl2)
• All form anions with a charge of -1.
Noble Gases
Noble Gases
• Group 18• All are inert, or unreactive• All are gases• All have full valence electron shells• Most do not form cations or anions, but
remain as atoms.
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