Metals, Nonmetals, and Metalloids

Some periodic tables are color coded to show what elements are metals, nonmetals, and metalloids.

In general, elements located in the left two-thirds or so of the periodic table are metals. Properties include good conductors, shiny luster, malleable, ductile. The nonmetals are on the right side of the table. Properties include brittle, dull, not good conductors (insulators).

The dividing line (zig zag line) between the metals and nonmetals are elements called semiconductors or metalloids. Metalloids have properties of both metals and nonmetals. They are often called semi-conductors.

Periods Go Left to Right (7)• Every element in the top

row (first period) has one orbital for its electrons.

• Every element in the second period has two energy levels available.

• Elements in the third period have 3 electron shells

Families or Groups• Elements in the red group

have 1 electron in their outer shell.

• Elements in the orange group have 2 electrons in their outer shell.

• As you keep counting the colored columns, you add an additional electron.

• Purple has 8 electrons in its outer shell.

• (Don’t include the white group)

Groups / Families

• Each column of elements is called a family or group.

• Elements in a family have similar but not identical properties.

• The group # indicates the number of electrons in their outer energy shell

• Elements in a group have the same number of valence electrons