Chemical properties
Chemical properties of elements in the same group
- Elements in the same group in the Periodic Table will have similar chemical properties
- This is because they have the same number of outer electrons so will react and bond similarly
- The group number of an element which is given on the Periodic Table indicates the number of electrons in the outer shell
- This rule holds true for all elements except helium; although is in Group 0, it has only one shell, the first and innermost shell, which holds only 2 electrons
- We can use the group number to predict how elements will react as the number of outer shell electrons in an element influences how the element reacts.
- Therefore, elements in the same group react similarly
- By observing the reaction of one element from a group, you can predict how the other elements in that group will react
- By reacting two or more elements from the same group and observing what happens in those reactions you can make predictions about reactivity and establish trends in reactivity in that group
- For example, lithium, sodium and potassium are in Group 1 and can all react with elements in Group 7 to form an ionic compound
- The Group 1 metals become more reactive as you move down the group while the Group 7 elements show a decrease in reactivity moving down the group