Special names of elements in different groups of the periodic table

The periodic table groups elements into families with specific names based on shared properties. Here are the special names and key characteristics of elements in different groups:

Group 1: Alkali Metals

• Elements: Lithium (Li), Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), Rubidium (Rb), Cesium (Cs), Francium (Fr).
• Characteristics: Highly reactive, especially with water; soft and can be cut with a knife; low melting points relative to other metals.

Group 2: Alkaline Earth Metals

• Elements: Beryllium (Be), Magnesium (Mg), Calcium (Ca), Strontium (Sr), Barium (Ba), Radium (Ra).
• Characteristics: Reactive, but less so than alkali metals; higher melting points and harder than alkali metals; form oxides that are basic.

Groups 3-12: Transition Metals

• Elements: Include Scandium (Sc), Titanium (Ti), Iron (Fe), Nickel (Ni), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Silver (Ag), Gold (Au), and others.
• Characteristics: Exhibit various oxidation states; form colored compounds; good conductors of heat and electricity; often used as catalysts.

Group 13: Boron Group (Icosagens)

• Elements: Boron (B), Aluminum (Al), Gallium (Ga), Indium (In), Thallium (Tl), Nihonium (Nh).
• Characteristics: Boron is a metalloid; the rest are metals; typically form +3 oxidation states.

Group 14: Carbon Group (Tetragens)

• Elements: Carbon (C), Silicon (Si), Germanium (Ge), Tin (Sn), Lead (Pb), Flerovium (Fl).
• Characteristics: Carbon is a non-metal; Silicon and Germanium are metalloids; Tin and Lead are metals; exhibit +2 and +4 oxidation states.

Group 15: Nitrogen Group (Pnictogens)

• Elements: Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Arsenic (As), Antimony (Sb), Bismuth (Bi), Moscovium (Mc).
• Characteristics: Nitrogen and Phosphorus are non-metals; Arsenic and Antimony are metalloids; Bismuth is a metal; typically form -3 oxidation states.

Group 16: Oxygen Group (Chalcogens)

• Elements: Oxygen (O), Sulfur (S), Selenium (Se), Tellurium (Te), Polonium (Po), Livermorium (Lv).
• Characteristics: Oxygen, Sulfur, and Selenium are non-metals; Tellurium is a metalloid; Polonium is a metal; form -2 oxidation states.

Group 17: Halogens

• Elements: Fluorine (F), Chlorine (Cl), Bromine (Br), Iodine (I), Astatine (At), Tennessine (Ts).
• Characteristics: Very reactive non-metals; form salts with metals; exhibit -1 oxidation states.

Group 18: Noble Gases

• Elements: Helium (He), Neon (Ne), Argon (Ar), Krypton (Kr), Xenon (Xe), Radon (Rn), Oganesson (Og).
• Characteristics: Inert gases with very low reactivity; full valence electron shells; used in lighting and as inert environments for reactions.

Lanthanides

• Elements: Lanthanum (La) to Lutetium (Lu).
• Characteristics: Rare earth metals; typically exhibit +3 oxidation states; used in strong magnets and phosphors.

Actinides

• Elements: Actinium (Ac) to Lawrencium (Lr).
• Characteristics: Mostly radioactive; includes elements like Uranium (U) and Plutonium (Pu) used in nuclear reactors and weapons.

Summary

Each group of the periodic table has a special name and unique characteristics. Here's a quick reference:

• Group 1: Alkali Metals
• Group 2: Alkaline Earth Metals
• Groups 3-12: Transition Metals
• Group 13: Boron Group (Icosagens)
• Group 14: Carbon Group (Tetragens)
• Group 15: Nitrogen Group (Pnictogens)
• Group 16: Oxygen Group (Chalcogens)
• Group 17: Halogens
• Group 18: Noble Gases
• Lanthanides: Elements 57-71
• Actinides: Elements 89-103

Understanding these groups helps predict the chemical behavior and properties of the elements.