groups in the periodic table

Question 1

Alkali metals

Answer 1

Group 1 elements (except hydrogen) are known as the alkali metals
These metals react explosively with water, producing brightly coloured flames. After the reaction, the water turns more alkaline.
All Group 1 elements only have 1 valence electron and lose this electron easily – making them highly reactive

Question 2

Alkali earth metals

Answer 2

Group 2 elements are known as the alkali earth metals
These metals are also highly reactive and turn water alkaline
“earth” because they are commonly found in compounds in the Earth’s crust
All Group 2 metals have 2 valence electrons and lose them easily – although they are not as reactive as Group 1 metals

Question 3

Halogens

Answer 3

Group 17 elements are known as the halogens
All Group 17 metals have 7 valence electrons and need only one more to achieve a full shell – making them highly reactive too!
‘Halogens’ means ‘salt formers’ – they react with metal ions to form salts (ionic compounds)

Question 4

Noble Gas

Answer 4

Group 18 elements are known as the noble gases
All Group 18 elements have a full valence shell – making them unreactive / inert
They hardly ever take part in chemical bonding, even among themselves, and exists as single atoms.