Important Groups in Periodic Table

Group 1 - Alkaline Metals

Properties include:

• Low density - first three float on water
• React with non metals to form an ionic compound
• React with group 7 to make salts that are white or colourless
• React with water releasing hydrogen - below potassium reaction very violent and dangerous
• Form hydroxides that dissolve in water to give alkaline solutions

The further down the group you go:

• The more reactive the element - outer electron less strongly attracted to the nucleus - number of occupied energy levels increases
• The lower the melting/boiling point

The Transition Metals

Found between groups 2 + 3

Compared to group 1 metals:

• Have much higher melting/boiling points - except for mercury
• Are harder and…