Periodic Table of Element Groups

One reason the periodic table of the elements is so useful is that it is a means of arranging elements according to their similar properties. This is what is meant by periodicity or periodic table trends.

There are multiple ways of grouping the elements, but they are commonly divided into metals, semimetals (metalloids), and nonmetals. You'll find more specific groups, like transition metals, rare earths, alkali metals, alkaline earth, halogens, and noble gasses.

Groups in the Periodic Table of Elements

Click on an element to read about the chemical and physical properties of the group to which that element belongs.

Alkali Metals

• less dense than other metals
• one loosely bound valence electron
• highly reactive, with reactivity increasing moving down the group
• largest atomic radius of elements in their period
• low ionization energy
• low electronegativity

Alkaline Earth Metals

• two electrons in the valence shell
• readily form divalent cations
• low electron affinity
• low electronegativity

Transition Metals

The lanthanides (rare earth) and actinides are also transition metals. The basic metals are similar to transition metals but tend to be softer and to hint at nonmetallic properties. In their pure state, all of these elements tend to have a shiny, metallic appearance. While there are radioisotopes of other elements, all of the actinides are radioactive.

• very hard, usually shiny, ductile, and malleable

• high melting and boiling points
• high thermal and electrical conductivity
• form cations (positive oxidation states)
• tend to exhibit more than one oxidation state
• low ionization energy

Metalloids or Semimetals

• electronegativity and ionization energy intermediate between that of metals and nonmetals
• may possess a metallic luster

• variable density, hardness, conductivity, and other properties
• often make good semiconductors
• reactivity depends on nature of other elements in the reaction

Nonmetals

The halogens and noble gases are nonmetals, although they have their own groups, too.

• high ionization energy
• high electronegativity
• poor electrical and thermal conductors
• form brittle solids
• little if any metallic luster
• readily gain electrons

Halogens

The halogens exhibit different physical properties from each other but do share chemical properties.

• extremely high electronegativity
• very reactive
• seven valence electrons, so elements from this group typically exhibit a -1 oxidation state

Noble Gases

The noble gasses have complete valence electron shells, so they act differently. Unlike other groups, noble gasses are unreactive and have very low electronegativity or electron affinity.

Color Periodic Table of Element Groups

Click here for the list of element symbols.

Element Groups Color Key