Periodic Groups

Mr. Tam

December 6th 2013

Group 1: Alkali Metals

Soft and Light

Melt at low temperatures

Never found as free elements in nature –

always combine with other elements

i.e. NaCl – sodium chloride (table salt)

Excellent conductors

Highly reactive with air and water (stored in

oil)

Never handle with bare hands

Uses of Alkali Metals

Lithium is used to treat the symptoms of

bipolar disorder

Sodium is found in salts – NaCl for

example

Group II: Alkaline Earth Metals

Group number II

The only exception is Helium

All the elements in this group have 2

valence electrons

Found in the body – Calcium in bones

Strontium is used for fireworks

Beryllium is a metal found in emeralds

Group VII: Halogens

Group number VII

They all have 7 valence electrons

Extremely reactive with anything they

come in contact with

Rarely found in elemental form in nature

Group VIII: Noble gases

Group number VIII

They have 8 valence electrons

They have full shells and therefore will not

react with anything

They are used in high intensity lamps and

in downtown city lights