Other ways to classify elements

The periodic table can also be divided into regions on the basis of the groups.
Main group elements - in Groups 1, 2,
-

Transition metals - in central block of periodic table

The properties of elements in some Main groups are so similar that some Main groups  are referred to by a name as well as the group number.
Group
elements are non-reactive gases and are referred to as Noble Gases (He, Ne, Ar, Kr, Xe).
Group 
 elements are the Halogens (F, Cl, Br and I). 
Group 1 metals are the Alkali Metals (Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs).
Group 2 metals are the Alkaline Earths (Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba).
 
1 2
  1H N
O
B
L
E

G
A
S
E
S
A
L
K
A
L
I

M
E
T
A
L
S		 A
L
K
A
L
I
N
E

E
A
R
T
H
S		   5 B 6 C 7 N 8 O H
A
L
O
G
E
N
S
13 Al 14 Si 15 P 16 S
TRANSITION METALS   31 Ga 32 Ge 33 As 34 Se
49 In 50 Sn 51 Sb 52 Te
81 Tl 82 Pb 83 Bi 84 Po
Dr Sheila Woodgate
© The University of Auckland 2002