GroupsOfElements

• A vertical column in the periodic table is called a group or family
  • Elements in a group all have similar chemical and physical properties
  • The elements in a group have the same number of electrons in their outer shell
  • Going from top to bottom,each element has one more occupied energy level
• Group 1 elements (except hydrogen) are called alkali metals
• Group 2 elements are called alkaline earth metals
  • Group 1 & 2 elements very reactive, since they readily lose electrons
• Groups 15 and 16 are the nitrogen family and oxygen family respectively
• Group 17 is called the halogens and are so active that they do not occur naturally
• Elements in group 18 are called the noble gases because they do not react easily sice their valence shells are filled