Properties Of The (P) Table

• Groups


  Columns on the periodic table, numbered 1-18
• Periods


  Rows on the periodic table, numbered 1-7
• Alkali Metals (Group 1)

  • Too reactive to be found naturally in its pure form
  • All have 1 electron on their outer shell
  • Typical metal properties – except for hydrogen
  • Similar extreme chemical behaviour (e.g. react violently with water)
  • Gets less stable and more reactive down the group
• Alkaline Earth (Group 2)


  • Typical metal properties
  • All have 2 electrons in their outer shell
  • Act similarly to alkali metals, but are less reactive
• Group 14


  • Displays a wide range of properties
  • Carbon is a solid non-metal, and conducts electricity (unlike all other non-metals)
  • All have the capacity to have 4 electrons in their outer shell
• Halogens (Group 17)


  • All have 7 electrons in their outer shell
  • Not found in nature in their pure form
  • Forms salts (metal + halogen)
  • Get bigger and less reactive as you go down the group
  • Form molecules made up of two atoms (e.g. Cl2)
  • Can form coloured and poisonous gas
• Noble Gases (Group 18)


  • Are colourless and found in the atmosphere
  • Stable and almost never react with anything
  • All have 8 electrons in their outer shell
  • They get denser going down the group
• Transition metals (Groups 3-12)

  • All are metals
  • Often create colourful salts and solutions
  • Tend to be relatively hard and have high melting points