Families Elements can also be classified by family, use the color coding at the top of the page to help identify the family names and their element members. 1. How many elements belong to the Alkali Metal family? List the member elements by their symbol. Write your answers here: 2. Click on the group number for the Alkali Metals family at the top of the table. Answer the following about the Alkali metals: a. What are 3 similar properties of these elements? b. Where are these found naturally? c. What is a common substance that alkali metals react vigorously with? 3. What type of element does the bright green color indicate? List the element symbols for the elements that are designated with bright green: 4. Click on the group number for the Halogen family at the top of the table. Answer the following about the Halogen elements: a. How many elements belong to the Halogen family? List the member elements by their symbol. b. What does the name \”halogen\” mean? c. What type of molecule is formed when a halogen combines with hydrogen? 5. Tungsten (W), Copper (Cu), and Iron (Fe) all belong to the same family, whose members are generally used as conductors of electricity. What family is this?
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
1. How many elements belong to the Alkali Metal family?
There are 6 elements in the Alkali Metal family.
Member elements (symbols):
Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Fr
2. a. What are 3 similar properties of these elements?
- They are soft metals.
- They are highly reactive, especially with water.
- They have low melting points compared to other metals.
b. Where are these found naturally?
Alkali metals are found naturally in compounds such as salts and minerals, not in pure form due to their reactivity.
c. What is a common substance that alkali metals react vigorously with?
Water (H₂O) – they produce hydrogen gas and a strong base.
3. What type of element does the bright green color indicate?
Bright green indicates Nonmetals.
Elements with bright green color (symbols):
H, C, N, O, P, S, Se
4. a. How many elements belong to the Halogen family?
There are 5 elements in the Halogen family.
Member elements (symbols):
F, Cl, Br, I, At
b. What does the name “halogen” mean?
“Halogen” means “salt-former” – they form salts when combined with metals.
c. What type of molecule is formed when a halogen combines with hydrogen?
Hydrogen halide molecules (e.g., HCl, HF) are formed.
5. Tungsten (W), Copper (Cu), and Iron (Fe) all belong to what family?
They belong to the Transition Metals family.
Textbook-Style Explanation
The periodic table is organized into vertical columns called “groups” or “families” that contain elements with similar chemical and physical properties. One such family is the Alkali Metals, found in Group 1. This family includes lithium (Li), sodium (Na), potassium (K), rubidium (Rb), cesium (Cs), and francium (Fr). These metals are extremely reactive, especially with water, and must be stored under oil to prevent unwanted reactions. Common properties of alkali metals include being soft enough to cut with a knife, having low melting points, and forming strong bases called hydroxides when reacting with water.
Another important family is the Halogens, found in Group 17. The halogen family includes fluorine (F), chlorine (Cl), bromine (Br), iodine (I), and astatine (At). The term “halogen” means “salt-former” because these elements easily react with metals to form ionic salts like sodium chloride (table salt). When halogens combine with hydrogen, they form hydrogen halides, such as HCl, which are often strong acids in water.
The periodic table also identifies nonmetals with a bright green color. Nonmetals include elements like hydrogen (H), carbon (C), nitrogen (N), oxygen (O), phosphorus (P), sulfur (S), and selenium (Se). These elements are generally poor conductors of electricity and form covalent bonds.
Transition metals, such as copper (Cu), tungsten (W), and iron (Fe), occupy the center block of the periodic table (Groups 3–12). These elements are known for their ability to conduct electricity, malleability, and strength. They are widely used in electrical wiring, tools, and construction materials due to these properties.
Understanding element families helps predict how elements will behave in reactions and is a key concept in studying chemistry
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