The Families of the Periodic Table


 
 
 

The principal families of elements have been given specific names, as a sort of shorthand to identify groupings of elements with closely related properties. 

Earth MetalsThe Alkali Earth MetalsTransition metals
The MetalloidsThe HalogensThe Noble Gases
 

Another shorthand is used to refer to a large grouping of elements that all have easily predicted properties -- , main group elements. Main group elements include all of the elements in Groups 1 and 2, Groups 13 through 18, and the element hydrogen.   As you will see, an element's location in the table can be used to predict many of its properties.
The Main Group Elements


Quick Quiz: In which family of elements would you place Mg?

earth metals
halogens
metalloids
alkali earth metals


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