Representative elements

Definition

Representative elements are the elements found in Groups 1, 2, and 13-18 of the periodic table. They display a wide range of physical and chemical properties and include metals, metalloids, and nonmetals.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Representative elements include both metals (e.g., alkali metals, alkaline earth metals) and nonmetals (e.g., halogens, noble gases).
2. These elements typically exhibit a regular variation in properties across a period.
3. The electron configurations of representative elements end in $s$ or $p$ orbitals.
4. They are also known as 'main-group elements' because they represent the main reactive groups of the periodic table.
5. Groups containing representative elements often show trends such as increasing electronegativity from left to right across a period.

Review Questions

Related terms

Periodic Table:

A tabular arrangement of all known chemical elements organized by increasing atomic number and recurring chemical properties.

Alkali Metals:

Highly reactive metals found in Group 1 of the periodic table with one electron in their outermost shell.

Halogens:

Reactive nonmetals found in Group 17 of the periodic table with seven electrons in their outermost shell.