PERIODIC TABLE

The main group elements of the periodic table are groups 1, 2 and 13 through 18. Elements in these
groups are collectively known as main group or representative elements. These groups contain the most
naturally abundant elements, comprise 80 percent of the earth's crust and are the most important for life.
Economically the most produced chemicals are main group elements or their compounds. It is in the main
group elements that we most clearly see the trends in physical and chemical properties of the elements
that chemists have used to understand the "stuff" things are made of.

Group 1 (Alkali Metals)

The alkali metals are the series of elements in Group 1 of the periodic table (excluding hydrogen in all but
one rare circumstance). The series consists of

Properties
The alkali metals are silver-colored (caesium has a golden tinge), soft, low-density metals. These
elements all have one valence electron which is easily lost to form an ion with a single positive charge.
They have the lowest ionization energies in their respective periods. This makes them very reactive and
they are the most active metals. Due to their activity they occur naturally in ionic compounds not in their
elemental state.

Group 1

The alkali metals react readily with halogens to form ionic salts, such as table salt, sodium chloride
(NaCl). They are famous for their vigorous reactions with water to liberate hydrogen gas. These reactions
also often liberate sufficient energy to ignite the hydrogen and can be quite dangerous. As we move down
the group the reactions become increasingly violent. The reaction with water is as follows:

Alkali metal + water → Alkali metal hydroxide + hydrogen

With potassium as an example:

The oxides, hydrides, and hydoxides of these metals are basic (alkaline). In particular the hydoxides
resulting from the reaction with water are our most common laboratory bases (alkalis). It is from this
character that they derive their group name.

Hydrogen also has a single valence electron and is usually placed at the top of Group 1, but it is not a
metal (except under extreme circumstances as metallic hydrogen); rather it exists naturally as a diatomic
gas. Hydrogen can form ions with a single positive charge, but removal of its single electron requires
considerably more energy than removal of the outer electron from the alkali metals. Unlike the alkali
metals hydrogen atoms can also gain an electron to form the negatively charged hydride ion. The hydride
ion is an extremely strong base and does not usually occur except when combined with the alkali metals
and some transition metals (i.e. the ionic sodium hydride, NaH). In compounds hydrogen most often
forms covalent bonds.

Under extremely high pressure, such as is found at the core of Jupiter, hydrogen does become metallic
and behaves like an alkali metal; see metallic hydrogen.

Group 2 (Alkaline Earth Metals)

Group 2
Period
The alkaline earth metals are the series of elements in Group 2 of the periodic table. The series consists
of the elements beryllium (Be), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), strontium (Sr), barium (Ba) and radium
(Ra) (though radium is not always considered an alkaline on earth due to its radioactivity).
Properties
The alkaline earth metals are silvery colored, soft, low-density metals, though are a bit harder than the
alkali metals. These elements all have two valence electrons and tend to lose both to form ions with a two
plus charge. Berylium is the least metallic element in the group and tends form covalent bonds in its
compounds.

These metals are less active than the alkali metals, but are still fairly active. They react readily with
halogens to form ionic salts, and can react slowly with water. Magnesium reacts only with steam and
calcium with hot water. Beryllium is an exception: It does not react with water or steam, and its halides are
covalent. The oxides are basic and dissolve in acids and the hydroxides are strong bases, though not as
soluable as the alkali metal hydroxides.

The alkaline earth metals are named after their oxides, the alkaline earths, whose old-fashioned names
were beryllia, magnesia, lime, strontia and baryta. These were named alkaline earths because of their
intermediate nature between the alkalis (oxides of the alkali metals) and the rare earths (oxides of rare
earth metals). The classification of some apparently inert substances as 'earths' is millennia old. The
earliest known system used by the Greeks consisted of four elements, including earth. Later alchemists
applied the term to any solid substance that did not melt and was not changed by fire. The realization that
'earths' were not elements but compounds is attributed to the chemist Antoine Lavoisier. In his Traité
Élémentaire de Chimie (“Elements of Chemistry”) of 1789 he called them Substances simples salifiables
terreuses, or salt-forming earth elements. Later, he suggested that the alkaline earths might be metal
oxides, but admitted that this was mere conjecture. In 1808, acting on Lavoisier's idea, Humphry Davy
became the first to obtain samples of the metals by electrolysis of their molten earths.

Group 3 (Boron Group)

The Boron group is the series of elements in group 13 (formerly group III) in the periodic table. It consists
of the elements boron (B), aluminium (Al), gallium (Ga), indium (In), thallium (Tl), and ununtrium.

Properties
In this group we begin to see the changeover toward non-metallic character. First appearing at the top of
the group. Boron is a metalloid, it has characteristics intermediate between metals and non-metals, and
the rest of the group are metals. These elements are characterized by having three valence electrons.
The metals can loose all three electrons to form ions with a three plus charge in ionic compounds, but
boron tends to form covalent bonds. The oxides of the metals dissolve in acids so may be considered
basic, but aluminum oxide also dissolves in bases. It is amphoteric; that is, it displays both acidic and
basic characteristics. This is another indication of the changeover to non-metallic character. Aluminum is
the third most abundant element in the earth's crust (7.4 percent), and is widely used in packaging
materials. Aluminum is an active metal, but the stable oxide forms a protective coating over the metal
making resistant to corrosion.

Group 4 (Carbon Group)

The carbon group is the series of elements in group 14 ([formerly group IV) in the periodic table. It
consists of the elements carbon (C), silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), tin (Sn), lead (Pb), and ununquadium
(Uuq).

Properties
This group has a mix types of element with the non-metal carbon, two metalloids, and two metals. The
common characteristic is four valence electrons. The two metals, tin and lead, are fairly unreactive metals
and both can form ions with a two plus or a four plus charge in ionic compounds. Carbon forms four
covalent bonds in compounds rather than form monatomic ions. In the elemental state it has several
forms, the most known of which are graphite and diamond. Carbon is the basis of organic chemistry and
of biological molecules. Life depends on carbon. One oxide of carbon, carbon dioxide (CO2), dissolves in
water to give a weakly acidic solution. Acidic oxides are characteristic of non-metals. Silicon in some
respects is similar to carbon in that it forms four covalent bonds, but it does not form the wide range of
compounds. Silicon is the second most abundant element in the earth's crust (25.7 percent) and we are
surrounded by silicon containing materials: bricks, pottery, porcelain, lubricants, sealants, computer chips,
and solar cells. The simplest oxide, silicon dioxide (SiO2) or silica, is a component of many rocks and
minerals.

Group 5 (Nitrogen Group)

The Nitrogen group is the series of elements in group 15 (formerly Group V) of the periodic table. It
consists of the elements Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Arsenic (As), Antimony (Sb), Bismuth (Bi) and
ununpentium (UUp) (unconfirmed). The collective name pnicogens (now also spelled pnictogens) is also
sometimes used for elements of this group, with binary compounds being called pnictides; neither term is
ap by IUPAC. Both spellin

Properties
These elements all have five valence electrons. Nitrogen and Phosphorous are non-metals. They can
gain three electrons to form fairly unstable ions with a three minus charge, the nitride and phosphide ions.
In compounds they more often form covalent bonds. Though not in the top ten most common elements in
the earth's crust they are very important elements. Nitrogen, as a diatomic molecule is the major
constituent of air and both elements are essential for life. Nitrogen comprises about 3 percent of the
weight of the human body and phosphorous about 1.2 percent. Commercially, these elements are
important for fertilizers. Arsenic and Antimony are metalloids, and bismuth is the only metal in the group.
Bismuth can lose three electrons to form an ion with a three plus charge. Bismuth is also the heaviest
completely stable element that does not decay radioactively to other simpler elements.

"chemistry") are the name for the periodic table Group 16 (formerly Group VIb or VIa) in the periodic
table. It is sometimes known as the oxygen family. They are oxygen (O), sulfur (S), selenium (Se),
tellurium (Te), the radioactive polonium (Po), and the synthetic ununhexium (Uuh). The compounds of the
heavier chalcogens (particularly the sulfides, selenides, and tellurides) are collectively known as
chalcogenides. Unless grouped with a heavier chalcogen, oxides are not considered chalcogenides.

Properties
This group has six valence electrons. Oxygen and sulfur are non-metals; their elemental form is
molecular, and they can gain two electrons to form ions with a two minus charge. Oxygen is by far the
most abundant element in the earth's crust (49.5 percent), and is present in almost everything. It existents
elementally in the air as a diatomic molecule, is part of water and a great many minerals, and is essential
for life. Sulfur has probably the most allotropes of any element, though the most common and stable form
is the yellow crystals of S8 molecules. Though selenium is lumped with the non-metals, and can form
selenides similar to oxides and sulfides, its elemental state is that of a metalloid semiconductor as is
tellurium and polonium. In their elemental state they are often referred to as metals. Oxygen can combine
with sulfur, selenium and tellurium to form polyatomic ion oxo-anions. Oxygen is more electronegativity
than these elements, so they assume a positive oxidation number in these ions

The name chalcogen is generally considered to mean "ore former" from the Greek chalcos "ore" and -gen
"formation." [1] Chalcogenides are quite common as minerals. For example, FeS2 (pyrite) is an iron ore
and AuTe2 gave its name to the gold rush town of Telluride, Colorado in the United

Group 17 (Halogen)
The halogens are the elements in Group 17 (formerly Group VII or VIIa) of the periodic table. They are
fluorine (F), chlorine (Cl), bromine (Br), iodine (I), astatine (At) and the as yet undiscovered ununseptium
(Uus).

Properties
These elements all have seven valence electrons. This group is the first one to consist of entirely non-
metals. They exist as diatomic molecules in their natural state and have a progressive variation of
physical properties (see table below). Fluorine and chlorine exist as gases at room temperature, bromine
as a liguid, and iodine as a solid. They require one more electron to fill their outer electron shells, and so
have a tendency to gain one electron to form a singly-charged negative ions. These negative ions are
referred to as halide ions, and salts containing these ions are known as halides.

Halogens are highly reactive, and as such can be harmful or lethal to biological organisms in sufficient
quantities. Fluorine is the most reactive and the reactivity declines as we go down the group. Chlorine and
iodine are both used as disinfectants. In their elemental state the halogens are oxidizing agents and are
used in bleaches. Chlorine is the active ingredient of most fabric bleaches and is used in the production of
most paper products. The oxides and hydrides, like those of most non-metals, of the halogens are acidic.
Halide ions combined with single hydrogen atoms form the hydrohalic acids (i.e., HF, HCl, HBr, HI), a
series of particularly strong acids. (HAt, or "hydrastatic acid," should also qualify, but it is not typically
included in discussions of hydrohalic acid due to astatine's extreme instability toward radioactive alpha
decay.) They can react with each other to form interhalogen compounds, and can combine with oxygen in
polyatomic oxoanions. Diatomic interhalogen compounds (BrF, ICl, ClF, etc.) bear strong superficial
resemblance to the pure halogens.

Many synthetic organic compounds, and a few natural ones, contain halogen atoms; these are known as
halogenated compounds or organic halides. Chlorine is by far the most abundant of the halogens, and the
only one needed in relatively large amounts (as chloride ions) by human beings. For example, chloride
ions play a key role in brain function by mediating the action of the inhibitory transmitter Gamma-
aminobutyric acid (GABA) and are also used by the body to produce stomach acid. Iodine is needed in
trace amounts for the production of thyroid hormones such as thyroxine. On the other hand, neither
fluorine nor bromine are believed to be really essential for humans, although small amounts of fluoride
can make tooth enamel resistant to decay.

The term halogen was coined to mean elements which produce salt in union with a metal. It comes from
eighteenth century scientific French nomenclature based on erring adaptations of Greek roots.

Table of trends in melting point, boiling point, and electronegativity.

Halogen Atomic Mass (u) Melting Point (º C) Boiling Point (º C)

Electronegativity (Pauling)
Fluorine 18.998 −219.62 −188/12 3.98
Chlorine 35.453 −101.15 −34.04 3.16
Bromine 79.904 −7.35 58.86 2.96
Iodine 126.904 113.70 202.25 2.66
Astatine (210) 302 337 ? 2.2
Ununseptium (291)* * * *
* Ununseptium has not yet been discovered; values are either unknown if no value appears, or are
estimates based on other similar elements.

Group 8 (Noble Gases)

The noble gases are the chemical elements in group 18 (formerly group VIII) of the periodic table. They
are helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, and radon. They are sometimes called inert gases or rare
gases. The name 'noble gases' is an allusion to the similarly unreactive Noble metals, so called due to
their preciousness, resistance to corrosion and long association with the aristocracy.

Properties
The noble gasses are all non-metals and are characterized by having completely filled shells of electrons.
In general this makes them very unreactive chemically since it is difficult to add or remove electrons.
Physically they exist as monatomic gases at room temperature, even those with larger atomic masses
(see table of physical properties below). This is because they have very weak inter-atomic forces of
attraction, and consequently very low melting points and boiling points. Krypton and Xenon are the only
noble gasses that form any compounds at all. These elements can do this because they have the
potential to form an expanded octet by accepting electrons in an empty d subshell.

Because of their unreactivity, the noble gases were not discovered until 1868, when helium was detected
spectrographically in the Sun. The isolation of helium on Earth had to wait until 1895. The noble gasses
are commonly encountered in helium balloons (safer than flammable hydrogen) and lighting. Some of the
noble gases glow distinctive colors when used inside discharge tubes (neon lights), and Argon is often
used inside filament light bulbs.

Table of trends in melting point, boiling point, and density.

Noble Gas Atomic Mass (u) Melting Point (º C) Boiling Point (º C) Density (g/L)
Helium 4.003 −272 −268.83 0.1786
Neon 20.18 −248.52 −245.92 0.9002
Argon 39.95 −189.6 −185.81 1.7818
Krypton 83.80 −157 −151.7 3.708
Xenon 131.3 −111.5 −106.6 5.851
Radon (222) −71 −62 9.97
Ununoctium (293)* * * *
* Ununoctium has not yet been discovered; values are either unknown if no value appears, or are
estimates based o

Periodic tables

Standard table | Vertical table | Table with names | Names and atomic masses (large) | Names and
atomic masses (small) | Names and atomic masses . Electron configurations | Metals and non metals |
Table by blocks | List of elements by name
Groups: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 - 12 - 13 - 14 - 15 - 16 - 17 - 18
Periods: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8
Series: Alkalis - Alkaline earths - Lanthanides - Actinides - Transition metals - Poor metals -
Metalloids - Nonmetals - Halogens - Noble gases
Blocks: s-block - p-block

Elements in these groups are collectively known as main group or representative elements. These
groups contain the most naturally abundant elements, comprise 80 percent of the earth's crust and are
the most important for life. Economically the most produced chemicals are main group elements or their
compounds. It is in the main group elements that we most clearly see the trends in physical and chemical
properties of the elements that chemists have used to understand the "stuff" things are made of.
Group 1 (Alkali Metals)

The alkali metals are the series of elements in Group 1 of the periodic table (excluding hydrogen in all but
one rare circumstance). The series consists of the elements lithium (Li), sodium (Na), potassium (K),
rubidium (Rb), caesium (Cs), and francium (Fr).

Properties
The alkali metals are silver-colored (caesium has a golden tinge), soft, low-density metals. These
elements all have one valence electron which is easily lost to form an ion with a single positive charge.
They have the lowest ionization energies in their respective periods. This makes them very reactive and
they are the most active metals. Due to their activity they occur naturally in ionic compounds not in their
elemental state.

Group 1

The alkali metals react readily with halogens to form ionic salts, such as table salt, sodium chloride
(NaCl). They are famous for their vigorous reactions with water to liberate hydrogen gas. These reactions
also often liberate sufficient energy to ignite the hydrogen and can be quite dangerous. As we move down
the group the reactions become increasingly violent. The reaction with water is as follows:

Alkali metal + water → Alkali metal hydroxide + hydrogen

The oxides, hydrides, and hydoxides of these metals are basic (alkaline). In particular the hydoxides
resulting from the reaction with water are our most common laboratory bases (alkalis). It is from this
character that they derive their group name.

Hydrogen also has a single valence electron and is usually placed at the top of Group 1, but it is not a
metal (except under extreme circumstances as metallic hydrogen); rather it exists naturally as a diatomic
gas. Hydrogen can form ions with a single positive charge, but removal of its single electron requires
considerably more energy than removal of the outer electron from the alkali metals. Unlike the alkali
metals hydrogen atoms can also gain an electron to form the negatively charged hydride ion. The hydride
ion is an extremely strong base and does not usually occur except when combined with the alkali metals
and some transition metals (i.e. the ionic sodium hydride, NaH). In compounds hydrogen most often
forms covalent bonds.

Under extremely high pressure, such as is found at the core of Jupiter, hydrogen does become metallic
and behaves like an alkali metal; see metallic hydrogen.

Group 2
The alkaline earth metals are the series of elements in Group 2 of the periodic table. The series consists
of the elements beryllium (Be), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), strontium (Sr), barium (Ba) and radium
(Ra) (though radium is not always considered an alkaline on earth due to its radioactivity).

Properties
The alkaline earth metals are silvery colored, soft, low-density metals, though are a bit harder than the
alkali metals. These elements all have two valence electrons and tend to lose both to form ions with a two
plus charge. Berylium is the least metallic element in the group and tends form covalent bonds in its
compounds.

These metals are less active than the alkali metals, but are still fairly active. They react readily with
halogens to form ionic salts, and can react slowly with water. Magnesium reacts only with steam and
calcium with hot water. Beryllium is an exception: It does not react with water or steam, and its halides are
covalent. The oxides are basic and dissolve in acids and the hydroxides are strong bases, though not as
soluable as the alkali metal hydroxides.
The alkaline earth metals are named after their oxides, the alkaline earths, whose old-fashioned names
were beryllia, magnesia, lime, strontia and baryta. These were named alkaline earths because of their
intermediate nature between the alkalis (oxides of the alkali metals) and the rare earths (oxides of rare
earth metals). The classification of some apparently inert substances as 'earths' is millennia old. The
earliest known system used by the Greeks consisted of four elements, including earth. Later alchemists
applied the term to any solid substance that did not melt and was not changed by fire. The realization that
'earths' were not elements but compounds is attributed to the chemist Antoine Lavoisier. In his Traité
Élémentaire de Chimie (“Elements of Chemistry”) of 1789 he called them Substances simples salifiables
terreuses, or salt-forming earth elements. Later, he suggested that the alkaline earths might be metal
oxides, but admitted that this was mere conjecture. In 1808, acting on Lavoisier's idea, Humphry Davy
became the first to obtain samples of the metals by electrolysis of their molten earths.

Group 13 (Boron )
The Boron group is the series of elements in group 13 (formerly group III) in the periodic table. It consists
of the elements boron (B), aluminium (Al), gallium (Ga), indium (In), thallium (Tl), and ununtrium.

Properties
In this group we begin to see the changeover toward non-metallic character. First appearing at the top of
the group. Boron is a metalloid, it has characteristics intermediate between metals and non-metals, and
the rest of the group are metals. These elements are characterized by having three valence electrons.
The metals can loose all three electrons to form ions with a three plus charge in ionic compounds, but
boron tends to form covalent bonds. The oxides of the metals dissolve in acids so may be considered
basic, but aluminum oxide also dissolves in bases. It is amphoteric; that is, it displays both acidic and
basic characteristics. This is another indication of the changeover to non-metallic character. Aluminum is
the third most abundant element in the earth's crust (7.4 percent), and is widely used in packaging
materials. Aluminum is an active metal, but the stable oxide forms a protective coating over the metal
making resistant to corrosion.

Group 14 (Carbon Group)

Group 14
Period

The carbon group is the series of elements in group 14 ([formerly group IV) in the periodic table. It
consists of the elements carbon (C), silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), tin (Sn), lead (Pb), and ununquadium
(Uuq).

Properties
This group has a mix types of element with the non-metal carbon, two metalloids, and two metals. The
common characteristic is four valence electrons. The two metals, tin and lead, are fairly unreactive metals
and both can form ions with a two plus or a four plus charge in ionic compounds. Carbon forms four
covalent bonds in compounds rather than form monatomic ions. In the elemental state it has several
forms, the most known of which are graphite and diamond. Carbon is the basis of organic chemistry and
of biological molecules. Life depends on carbon. One oxide of carbon, carbon dioxide (CO2), dissolves in
water to give a weakly acidic solution. Acidic oxides are characteristic of non-metals. Silicon in some
respects is similar to carbon in that it forms four covalent bonds, but it does not form the wide range of
compounds. Silicon is the second most abundant element in the earth's crust (25.7 percent) and we are
surrounded by silicon containing materials: bricks, pottery, porcelain, lubricants, sealants, computer chips,
and solar cells. The simplest oxide, silicon dioxide (SiO2) or silica, is a component of many rocks and
minerals.

Group 15 (Nitrogen Group)

Group 15
Period
The Nitrogen group is the series of elements in group 15 (formerly Group V) of the periodic table. It
consists of the elements Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Arsenic (As), Antimony (Sb), Bismuth (Bi) and
ununpentium (UUp) (unconfirmed). The collective name pnicogens (now also spelled pnictogens) is also
sometimes used for elements of this group, with binary compounds being called pnictides; neither term is
approved by IUPAC. Both spellings are said to derive from the Greek πνίγειν (pnigein), to choke or stifle,
which is a property of nitrogen.

Properties
These elements all have five valence electrons. Nitrogen and Phosphorous are non-metals. They can
gain three electrons to form fairly unstable ions with a three minus charge, the nitride and phosphide ions.
In compounds they more often form covalent bonds. Though not in the top ten most common elements in
the earth's crust they are very important elements. Nitrogen, as a diatomic molecule is the major
constituent of air and both elements are essential for life. Nitrogen comprises about 3 percent of the
weight of the human body and phosphorous about 1.2 percent. Commercially, these elements are
important for fertilizers. Arsenic and Antimony are metalloids, and bismuth is the only metal in the group.
Bismuth can lose three electrons to form an ion with a three plus charge. Bismuth is also the heaviest
completely stable element that does not decay radioactively to other simpler elements.

Group 16
The chalcogens (with the "ch" pronounced with a hard "c" as in "chemistry") are the name for the periodic
table Group 16 (formerly Group VIb or VIa) in the periodic table. It is sometimes known as the oxygen
family. They are oxygen (O), sulfur (S), selenium (Se), tellurium (Te), the radioactive polonium (Po), and
the synthetic ununhexium (Uuh). The compounds of the heavier chalcogens (particularly the sulfides,
selenides, and tellurides) are collectively known as chalcogenides. Unless grouped with a heavier
chalcogen, oxides are not considered chalcogenides.

Properties
This group has six valence electrons. Oxygen and sulfur are non-metals; their elemental form is
molecular, and they can gain two electrons to form ions with a two minus charge. Oxygen is by far the
most abundant element in the earth's crust (49.5 percent), and is present in almost everything. It existents
elementally in the air as a diatomic molecule, is part of water and a great many minerals, and is essential
for life. Sulfur has probably the most allotropes of any element, though the most common and stable form
is the yellow crystals of S8 molecules. Though selenium is lumped with the non-metals, and can form
selenides similar to oxides and sulfides, its elemental state is that of a metalloid semiconductor as is
tellurium and polonium. In their elemental state they are often referred to as metals. Oxygen can combine
with sulfur, selenium and tellurium to form polyatomic ion oxo-anions. Oxygen is more electronegativity
than these elements, so they assume a positive oxidation number in these ions

The name chalcogen is generally considered to mean "ore former" from the Greek chalcos "ore" and -gen
"formation." [1] Chalcogenides are quite common as minerals. For example, FeS2 (pyrite) is an iron ore
and AuTe2 gave its name to the gold rush town of Telluride, Colorado in the United States.

Group 17 (Halogen)
The halogens are the elements in Group 17 (formerly Group VII or VIIa) of the periodic table. They are
fluorine (F), chlorine (Cl), bromine (Br), iodine (I), astatine (At) and the as yet undiscovered ununseptium
(Uus).

Properties
These elements all have seven valence electrons. This group is the first one to consist of entirely non-
metals. They exist as diatomic molecules in their natural state and have a progressive variation of
physical properties (see table below). Fluorine and chlorine exist as gases at room temperature, bromine
as a liguid, and iodine as a solid. They require one more electron to fill their outer electron shells, and so
have a tendency to gain one electron to form a singly-charged negative ions. These negative ions are
referred to as halide ions, and salts containing these ions are known as halides.
Halogens are highly reactive, and as such can be harmful or lethal to biological organisms in sufficient
quantities. Fluorine is the most reactive and the reactivity declines as we go down the group. Chlorine and
iodine are both used as disinfectants. In their elemental state the halogens are oxidizing agents and are
used in bleaches. Chlorine is the active ingredient of most fabric bleaches and is used in the production of
most paper products. The oxides and hydrides, like those of most non-metals, of the halogens are acidic.
Halide ions combined with single hydrogen atoms form the hydrohalic acids (i.e., HF, HCl, HBr, HI), a
series of particularly strong acids. (HAt, or "hydrastatic acid," should also qualify, but it is not typically
included in discussions of hydrohalic acid due to astatine's extreme instability toward radioactive alpha
decay.) They can react with each other to form interhalogen compounds, and can combine with oxygen in
polyatomic oxoanions. Diatomic interhalogen compounds (BrF, ICl, ClF, etc.) bear strong superficial
resemblance to the pure halogens.

Many synthetic organic compounds, and a few natural ones, contain halogen atoms; these are known as
halogenated compounds or organic halides. Chlorine is by far the most abundant of the halogens, and the
only one needed in relatively large amounts (as chloride ions) by human beings. For example, chloride
ions play a key role in brain function by mediating the action of the inhibitory transmitter Gamma-
aminobutyric acid (GABA) and are also used by the body to produce stomach acid. Iodine is needed in
trace amounts for the production of thyroid hormones such as thyroxine. On the other hand, neither
fluorine nor bromine are believed to be really essential for humans, although small amounts of fluoride
can make tooth enamel resistant to decay.

The term halogen was coined to mean elements which produce salt in union with a metal. It comes from
eighteenth century scientific French nomenclature based on erring adaptations of Greek roots.

Table of trends in melting point, boiling point, and electronegativity.

Halogen Atomic Mass (u) Melting Point (º C) Boiling Point (º C)

Electronegativity (Pauling)
Fluorine 18.998 −219.62 −188/12 3.98
Chlorine 35.453 −101.15 −34.04 3.16
Bromine 79.904 −7.35 58.86 2.96
Iodine 126.904 113.70 202.25 2.66
Astatine (210) 302 337 ? 2.2
Ununseptium (291)* * * *
* Ununseptium has not yet been discovered; values are either unknown if no value appears, or are
estimates based on other similar elements.

Group 18 (Noble Gases)

The noble gases are the chemical elements in group 18 (formerly group VIII) of the periodic table. They
are helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, and radon. They are sometimes called inert gases or rare
gases. The name 'noble gases' is an allusion to the similarly unreactive Noble metals, so called due to
their preciousness, resistance to corrosion and long association with the aristocracy.

Properties
The noble gasses are all non-metals and are characterized by having completely filled shells of electrons.
In general this makes them very unreactive chemically since it is difficult to add or remove electrons.
Physically they exist as monatomic gases at room temperature, even those with larger atomic masses
(see table of physical properties below). This is because they have very weak inter-atomic forces of
attraction, and consequently very low melting points and boiling points. Krypton and Xenon are the only
noble gasses that form any compounds at all. These elements can do this because they have the
potential to form an expanded octet by accepting electrons in an empty d subshell.
Because of their unreactivity, the noble gases were not discovered until 1868, when helium was detected
spectrographically in the Sun. The isolation of helium on Earth had to wait until 1895. The noble gasses
are commonly encountered in helium balloons (safer than flammable hydrogen) and lighting. Some of the
noble gases glow distinctive colors when used inside discharge tubes (neon lights), and Argon is often
used inside filament light bulbs.

Table of trends in melting point, boiling point, and density.

Noble Gas Atomic Mass (u) Melting Point (º C) Boiling Point (º C) Density (g/L)
Helium 4.003 −272 −268.83 0.1786
Neon 20.18 −248.52 −245.92 0.9002
Argon 39.95 −189.6 −185.81 1.7818
Krypton 83.80 −157 −151.7 3.708
Xenon 131.3 −111.5 −106.6 5.851
Radon (222) −71 −62 9.97
Ununoctium (293)* * * *
* Ununoctium has not yet been discovered; values are either unknown if no value appears, or are
estimates based on other similar elements.

Periodic tables

Standard table | Vertical table | Table with names | Names and atomic masses (large) | Names and
atomic masses (small) | Names and atomic masses (text only) | Inline F-block | Elements to 218 | Electron
configurations | Metals and non metals | Table by blocks | List of elements by name
Groups: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 - 12 - 13 - 14 - 15 - 16 - 17 - 18
Periods: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8
Series: Alkalis - Alkaline earths - Lanthanides - Actinides - Transition metals - Poor metals -
Metalloids - Nonmetals - Halogens - Noble gases