Sunday Emmanuel

@sundayemmanuel · 30 Oct 2021

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What is a group on the periodic table

Groups: is the vertical columns of elements, or groups and numbered from 0 to 7. Element in the same group has the same number of electrons in the outermost shell of the atoms. i.e, they have the same number of valence electrons.
Hydrogen does not fit into any group. But for convenience, it is placed in group one because of the single electron. In group 0, helium has two electrons, while the other element has eight valence electrons.

Besides the eight main groups, they are also the transition groups of elements. These lie between groups 2 and 3 in the periodic table. Elements in the same group share similar properties because their atoms have the same number of valence electrons. At the same time, certain properties of the elements in the same group show a gradual change with increasing atomic numbers. Such properties include physical properties like melting point and density which are affected by an increase in the mass of the atom.
We shall discuss the main groups of elements concerning group trends

Group 1: the familiar element in group 1 are sodium and potassium. They are univalent since each of their atoms has only one valence electron. They ionize very readily to form positive ions by donating electrons and form electrovalent compounds. The ease with which they donate their outermost electrons also makes them good reducing agents. The reducing property increases down the group. They are good conductors of electricity and are very electropositive, i.e they have a marked tendency to donate electrons.

Group 2: calcium and magnesium belong to group 2. They are divalent elements since each of the atoms has two valence electrons. They are electron donors, form electrovalent compounds, and are reducing in nature.

Group 3: the only familiar element in group 3 is aluminum. It is trivalent since each of its atoms has 3 valence electrons. Being a potential donor of three electrons, it is readily in nature and forms an electrovalent compound.

Group 4: group 4 elements include carbon, silicon, germanium, tin, and lead. They are tetravalent,i.e. each of their atoms has four valence electrons. They tend to form covalent compounds.

Group 5: nitrogen and phosphorus belong to group 5 and exhibit very similar properties. They are non-metals and show two common feelings of 3 and 5. They are electron acceptors and both form several oxides which have parallel characteristics.

Group 6: elements in group 6 include oxygen and sulfur which are non-metals. They are electron acceptors and are oxidizing in nature.

Group 7: the elements in group 7 are known as halogens; the word halogens means salt former. They are the most reactive nonmetal known and are so reactive with the other elements in the environment that, in nature, they exist mainly as salts rather than as free elements.

Group 0: the element in group 0 are known as rare gases or noble gases. They have nobody electrons in the outermost Shell, Hence the group is named is 0. The elements include helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, and radon(which is radioactive). @Henkjan de Krijger #periodicgroup