Overview of the Periodic Table

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A series of free High School Chemistry Video Lessons.

In this lesson, we will learn

• an overview of the periodic table
• the s-block elements
• the p-block elements
• the d-block and f-block elements

Periodic Table Overview
The periodic table is a chart which arranges all of the known elements according to their atomic numbers. The columns in the periodic table are called families or groups. The rows are called periods. The elements to left of the periodic table are metals while the elements in the top right are non metals. All metals are solid at normal temperatures while non-metals are liquid or gaseous. Metalloids have properties of both metals and non-metals.
A brief overview of the periodic table. This video describes the major groups on the periodic table. s-Block Elements
The s-block elements share electron configurations. s-block elements are the elements found in Group 1 and Group 2 on the periodic table. Group 1 are the alkali metals which have one valence electron. They have low ionization energies which makes them very reactive. Group 2 is the alkali earth metals which have two valence electrons, filling their s sublevel. Because they have 2 valence electrons they are less reactive than group 1. Hydrogen is a nonmetal grouped with the alkali metals because it has one electron in its valence shell.
The properties and electronic structure of the s-block elements. p-Block Elements
The p-block elements are found on the right side of the periodic table. They include the boron, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and florine families in addition to the noble gases. The noble gases have full p-orbital's and are nonreactive.
The properties of the p-block elements.

d-Block Elements - f-Block Elements
The d-block elements are found in the middle of the period table. The d-block elements are called transition metals and have valence electrons in d orbital's. The f-block elements,found in the two rows at the bottom of the periodic table, are called inner transition metals and have valence electrons in the f-orbital's.
The properties of the d and f block elements.