How do we sort a Periodic Table?

To sort a periodic table, we use horizontal rows or periods and vertical columns also called groups. There are also families that have atoms that have similar chemical and physical properties. Atoms in the same periods have the same amount of orbitals or electron shells. As you increase value of the periods you will notice that number of electron shells increase. Next, atoms in the same families have the same amount of valence electrons. There are 9 families and we will talk about them. These are the Alkali Metals, Alkaline Earth Metals, Transition Metals, Boron Family, Oxygen Family, Carbon Family, Nitrogen Family, Halogens, and Noble Gases. Also, there are seven periods in the periodic table with the Lanthanoids as sixth and the actinoids as seventh.

 Another important thing is that at the beginning of the periods, the atoms have a larger radius and as it goes down the period, the radius decreases.

Group

Role of Protons in Atoms

Protons are positively charged subatomic particles that are vital in atoms because they define the physical properties of the atom. They also help find the mass of the atom, the charge of the atom, if the atom is an isotope or ion, the number of electron shells, and the number of electrons and valence electrons. They were also really important when creating the periodic table because the table is partly based on physical properties. This will identify the family that is located in. Also, it will identify the number of electrons in the atom which will also find the number of electron shells. This means that it can also identify the period it is in. Even if you only have the number of protons of an atom, you can almost always accurately pinpoint the location of the atoms in the Periodic Table.

The Types of Elements

There are three types of elements; Metals, Metalloids, and Nonmetals. Each type has one or more families located inside of it. Metals have Alkali Metals, Alkaline Earth Metals, and Transition Metals. This type is located in the right and middle parts of the periodic table. They are ductile, malleable, and good conductors of thermal and electric energy. The metalloids are located in the diagonal area located below. They are semiconductors and they are malleable and malleable to some extent. And lastly, the nonmetals are located on the far right except for hydrogen. Most of the nonmetals are naturally found in their gas form however, the substances that are naturally found in their solid state are brittle and dull.

Sorry, the drawing is unclear, to clarify, red is nonmetals, blue is metalloids, and green is metals. 

Role of Valence Electrons in Atoms

Valence electrons are the electrons in the outermost or valence shell of the atom. They are apparent in Bhor Models such as the one below. The role of valence electrons is to create chemical bonds and define some of the chemical characteristics of the atom. Atoms will barter, steal, give away, or form bonds with other atoms to have a full or empty valence shell.  This is what makes the atoms reactive. Also, they help sort the periodic table. The number of valence electrons decides the group. Also, the number of shells can find which period it belongs to. Groups 2, 10, and 18 have 0 valence electrons

The carbon atom has 4 valence electrons which makes it reactive because its valence shell is not full. Also, we can find out that it is in group 6 or 14 and it is in period 2.

Atomic Radii

Atomic Radii is the radius from the center of the nucleus to the valence electrons. Atomic Radii decreases as you go along the groups. This is because the electrons weigh down the electron orbitals and it becomes denser. Also, you go along the periods the atomic radii increases. This is because it is adding a new valence electron shell.

Families

The 9 families are Alkali Metals, Alkaline Earth Metals, Transition Metals, Boron Family, Carbon Family, Nitrogen Family, Oxygen Family, Halogens, Noble Gases. 

The Alkali Metals Family Group

Alkali Metals are the atoms on the far right of the periodic table. They are group 1. However, Hydrogen is at the top of this group and it is not an Alkali Metal, it is more like a halogen because it is reactive, needs one more valence electron, and not metal. There are 6 atoms in this family The Alkali Metal family is reactive because it has only one valence electron and wants to give it off to another atom. Because they are reactive, they are not commonly found in nature. They are only found in preserved areas in nature. Also, these substances in their pure form, are extremely explosive in water. They have the same characteristics as all other metals, they are shiny, malleable, ductile, and good conductors of thermal and electrical energy. A few examples of these metals are Sodium, Lithium, Potassium, and Rubidium. Sodium is commonly found in table salt, lithium is commonly found in modern-day batteries such as the ones in a Tesla, and potassium is found in bananas and is very beneficial for the human body because it helps with the brain, nerves, and muscles.

The atoms are located in group 2. The Alkaline Earth Metals are atoms with 2 valence electrons. This makes these atoms only a little less reactive than the Alkali Metals. There are six atoms in this family. These atoms also are silver and relatively soft, dense, and have low melting and boiling points. They have been named earth metals because they are naturally found on earth. They have the basic characteristics of metals, they are shiny, malleable, ductile, and good conductors of thermal and electrical energy. Some atoms from this group are Beryllium, Calcium, Magnesium, and Radium. Beryllium is used for rat poison however, it is also poisonous to us humans. Calcium is what makes bones and it also makes sure that we don't break down. Magnesium is used in technology and is also used in fireworks and flares. 

Beryllium

Transition Metals Family

The Transition Metal Family is located in the middle of the periodic table and are in groups 3-12. These atoms either have one or two valence electrons however, they have valence electrons in more than one shell which makes it relatively stable. This property is only found in these metals. They are ductile, shiny, malleable, and good conductors. Substances in this family are very popularly used in jewelry such as gold, silver, copper, and platinum. This is because they are ductile and they stay shiny(if cleaned). Also, most magnets are made from the elements of this family. Other examples of this family are iron, Titanium, Nickel, and Manganese. Titanium is extremely strong so it used in high stress area such as jet engines and bone implants. Tungsten is in technology, and Silver is used in jewelry because it can bend into different shapes.

Boron Family

This family is named after the first element of its family similar to the carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen families. This family is located on the right, close to the center. These atoms have 3 valence electrons so they are still reactive but are pretty stable. These atoms are all metals except Boron which is a metalloid. So the substances are ductile, shiny, malleable, and good conductors. Boron is somewhat shiny, semiconductors and a bit malleable. Also, atoms in this family have a reactivity that is directly related to the density of the atom. Some examples of this element are Boron, Aluminium, Gallium, and Indium. Boron is used as an igniter of rocket fuel in rockets, Aluminium is used for powerlines, and Gallium is used for circuits.

Carbon Family

The Carbon Family is located in Group 14. The atoms in this group only have 4 valence electrons making them reactive but, relatively much lower than other atoms. The properties of metals are more evident as you go down the family of atoms. The atoms in this group are Carbon, Silicon, Germanium, Tin, Lead. This is because Carbon is a nonmetal, Silicon and Germanium are Metalloids, and Tin and Lead are metals. So this family shares all of the characteristics of Metals - conductors and ductile, Nonmetals - brittle and dull, and Metalloids - semiconductors and can somewhat bend. Carbon is very important because it is the basis of life. Also, Silicon is very important in mankind because it is used in circuit boards and other types of technology. Finally, Lead is used in batteries and types of glass.