The document summarizes the characteristics of different groups of elements on the periodic table. Group 1 alkali metals have 1 valence electron and are soft and reactive. Group 2 alkaline earth metals have 2 valence electrons, burn brightly, and have high melting points. Transition metals in Groups 3-12 are good conductors and have higher densities and melting points than Groups 1 and 2. The Lanthanides and Actinides are in the transition metals and have 1-3 valence electrons. Halogens in Group 17 have 7 valence electrons and are very reactive. Noble gases in Group 18 are non-reactive and exist in different states of matter.

1. Alkali metals (Group 1) characteristics
soft, most reactive metals, easily give away valence electrons, 1 valence
electron
Alkaline-earth metals (Group 2) characteristics
2 valence electrons, burn brightly, soft, silvery white, high melting
point/density
Transition metals (Groups 3-12)
good thermal conductors, shiny, electric conductors, higher density and
melting points than group 1+2, 1-2 valence electrons
What group are the Lanthanide/Actinide in?
transition metals
Lanthanide Characteristics
1-3 valence electrons, reactive, shiny, metals
Actinide Characteristics
radioactive, unstable, made in labs, 1-3 valence electrons, reactive
Boron Group Characteristics
3 valence electrons, reactive, solid at room temp
Carbon Group Characteristics
4 valence electrons, reactivity varies, solid at room temp
Nitrogen Group Characteristics
5 valence electrons, reactivity varies, solid at room temp except for nitrogen
Oxygen Group Characteristics
6 valence electrons, reactive, solid at room temp except for oxygen
Halogens (Group 17) Characteristics
7 valence electrons, very reactive, causes violent reactions with reacting with
other elements, at least one element from each state of matter
Noble gases (Group 18) Characteristics
2 or 8 valence electrons, non-reactive, colorless, tasteless, odorless