Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Families of the Periodic Table
Dr. DeBacco
Alkali Metals and Alkaline Earth Metals
Alkali Metals
Highly reactive with water
Soft metals
Low melting points and densities
1 valence electron (ex. Na, K)
Alkaline Earth Metals
Reactive metals,
Form basic oxides (ex. Mg, Ca
Harder and denser than alkali metals
2 valence electrons
Transition Metals
Transition Metals
Groups 3–12
Variable oxidation states (ex. Fe, Cu) due to their partially filled d-orbitals
Lustrous
Good conductors
B-C-N-O Families
The Boron Family: Group 13
Boron is a non-metallic metalloid, while others are metals
Carbon Family: Group 14
Carbon forms strong covalent bonds
Si and Ge are semiconductors
Nitrogen Family: Group 15
N forms strong multiple bonds
Reactivity and metallic character increases down the group
Oxygen Family: Group 16
Oxygen forms strong double bonds
Reactivity decreases down the group, while metallic character increases
Halogens
Halogens
Very reactive nonmetals
Form salts
7 valence electrons (ex. Cl, F)
Form -1 ions
Combine with hydrogen to form strong acids
Exist as diatomic molecules
Noble Gases
Noble Gases
Inert gases
Full valence shells
Very stable (ex. He, Ne, Ar)
Colorless, orderless gases
Nonflammable
Nonreactive
Lanthanides and Actinides
Lanthanides
f-block
Rare earth metals, often used in magnets and lasers (ex. Ce, Nd)
3+ oxidation state
Actinides
f-block
Radioactive metals
Some are synthetic (ex. U, Pu)
Multiple oxidation states
Highly Reactive especially with oxygen and halogens
Link to Lecture Slides: drive.google.com/file/d/1ufQCJhCUoc8ygrAPtjT4z787_jMt99zV/view?usp=drive_link
*Due to the description character limit the full work cited for "Families of the Periodic Table" can be viewed at... docs.google.com/document/d/1dyZwKq4aw09Nv651soq58WIYk_jRyUEl/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=104237452697237972847&rtpof=true&sd=true
Families of the Periodic Table
Dr. DeBacco
Alkali Metals and Alkaline Earth Metals
Alkali Metals
Highly reactive with water
Soft metals
Low melting points and densities
1 valence electron (ex. Na, K)
Alkaline Earth Metals
Reactive metals,
Form basic oxides (ex. Mg, Ca
Harder and denser than alkali metals
2 valence electrons
Transition Metals
Transition Metals
Groups 3–12
Variable oxidation states (ex. Fe, Cu) due to their partially filled d-orbitals
Lustrous
Good conductors
B-C-N-O Families
The Boron Family: Group 13
Boron is a non-metallic metalloid, while others are metals
Carbon Family: Group 14
Carbon forms strong covalent bonds
Si and Ge are semiconductors
Nitrogen Family: Group 15
N forms strong multiple bonds
Reactivity and metallic character increases down the group
Oxygen Family: Group 16
Oxygen forms strong double bonds
Reactivity decreases down the group, while metallic character increases
Halogens
Halogens
Very reactive nonmetals
Form salts
7 valence electrons (ex. Cl, F)
Form -1 ions
Combine with hydrogen to form strong acids
Exist as diatomic molecules
Noble Gases
Noble Gases
Inert gases
Full valence shells
Very stable (ex. He, Ne, Ar)
Colorless, orderless gases
Nonflammable
Nonreactive
Lanthanides and Actinides
Lanthanides
f-block
Rare earth metals, often used in magnets and lasers (ex. Ce, Nd)
3+ oxidation state
Actinides
f-block
Radioactive metals
Some are synthetic (ex. U, Pu)
Multiple oxidation states
Highly Reactive especially with oxygen and halogens
Link to Lecture Slides: drive.google.com/file/d/1ufQCJhCUoc8ygrAPtjT4z787_jMt99zV/view?usp=drive_link
*Due to the description character limit the full work cited for "Families of the Periodic Table" can be viewed at... docs.google.com/document/d/1dyZwKq4aw09Nv651soq58WIYk_jRyUEl/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=104237452697237972847&rtpof=true&sd=true
