| Themes > Science > Chemistry > General Chemistry > Elements > Element Groups > Element Groups |
The elements are arranged in vertical columns known as Groups. The elements in each group have consistently high or low values for certain properties. The horizontal rows of elements are referred to as "periods" Group 1 is also called the alkali metal group. These are strong metals that are unusually soft and very reactive toward Oxygen forming Oxides and water forming hydroxides of the metal. These elements are so reactive toward Oxygen and water vapor that they are stored under an inert liquid to protect them from Oxygen and water vapor. Group 2 is called the alkaline earth metals. These metals are not as soft as Group 1 metals. They also react more mildly with Oxygen to produce oxides of the metals and only react with water at temperatures where the water is steam. Groups 3-12 are referred to as the transition metal groups. These metals are not as predictable because of the shielding effect of the inner electrons. As for the "shielding effect" this refers to the inner electrons found in the transition state elements and the inner transition (rare earth) elements. These electrons had a tendency to block the electrical effect of the positive nucleus upon the outer valence electrons of those atoms. This shielding effect helps to partially explain the erratic placement of the electrons in the d and f orbitals relative to the s and p orbitals. Groups 1-2 and 13-18 are referred to as the representative elements Group 17 is referred to as the halogen group Group 18 is referred to as the Noble gas group previously known as the inert gas group. |
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