Ch. 6.2 Classifying the Elements

Squares in the Periodic Table

The table contains symbols and names of the elements, plus information about the structure of their atoms.

Symbol for solids, liquids, gasses, and manmade elements are color-coded according to the table’s legend.

Background colors in the squares distinguish groups of elements.

Representative groups include Alkali Metals (1A), Alkali Earth Metals (2A), Transition Metals, Nonmetals, Halogens, Metalloids, Other Metals, and Noble Gasses.

Electron Configuration in Groups

Elements can be sorted into noble gasses, representative elements, transition metals, or inner transition metals based on their electron configurations.

Noble gasses have completely filled s and p sublevels.

Representative Elements

Have a wide range of physical and chemical properties.

The s and p sublevels of the highest occupied energy level are not filled.

For any representative element, its group number indicates the number of electrons in the highest occupied energy level.

Transition Elements

In the periodic table, the A groups on the left side are separated from the A groups on the right side by the B groups, referred to as the transition elements.

Transition metals—the highest occupied s sublevel and a nearby d sublevel contain electrons.

Inner transition metals—below the main body of the periodic table…the highest occupied s sublevel and a nearby f sublevel contain electrons.

Blocks of Elements

The s block contains elements in groups 1A and 2A plus helium.

The p block contains elements in groups 3A, 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A, and 8A, except for helium.

Transition metals belong to d block. Principal energy level is one less than the period number.

Inner transition metals belong to f block. Principal energy level is two less than the period number.