#Periodic table metals full#

This is because non-metal elements have a tendency to gain electrons in order to achieve a full outer shell. So atoms of non-metal elements will typically obtain a full outer shell by gaining electrons in some reactions. In contrast to metals, non-metal elements have a large number of outer electrons. This makes beryllium a positive ion, and we can draw it like this: However, after the reaction, beryllium lost two electrons, resulting in an overall charge of +2. Initially, beryllium had 4 electrons and 4 protons in the nucleus, so an overall charge of 0. During a reaction, beryllium loses two electrons in its outer shell to obtain a full outer shell. Beryllium starts out with 4 electrons in total and 2 electrons in its outer shell. We write the charge in the top right corner.Īnother example of a highly reactive metal is beryllium, which is a group 2 metal. As lithium is charged, it is now an ion and we can draw it like this: Lithium originally had 3 electrons and 3 protons, so the overall charge was 0 (as protons have a positive charge and electrons have a negative charge).Īfter the reaction, lithium now has 3 protons in the nucleus and 2 electrons, which gives it an overall charge of +1. However, this creates a problem, as the number of electrons and protons in the atom is no longer equal. When lithium reacts, it loses its outer shell electron, which results in a full outer shell with 2 electrons. This makes it highly reactive, as it will readily lose its outer shell electron in a reaction. Lithium is a group 1 metal which has 3 electrons in total and 1 electron in its outer shell. Let’s look at some more examples of metal reactions.

This forms a negatively charged chloride ion (Cl –). On the other hand, chlorine, which is a non-metal element, gains an electron to achieve a full outer electron shell. This forms a positively charged sodium ion (Na +). In this reaction, sodium, which is a metal, loses an electron to obtain a full outer shell.

For example, let’s look at the metal sodium (Na) reacting with chlorine: This full outer shell will give them the same electronic structure as noble gases (group 0). When metals react, they lose electrons to gain a full outer shell. Transition metals (the middle section) – Less reactive metals.Most of the elements in the periodic table are metals, and we can divide them into two broad categories: These elements are called metalloids or semi-metals. There are also elements that display properties of both metals and non-metals. The non-metals are on the right side of the separating line.The metals are on the left side of the separating line.In the image below, you can see the location of metals and non-metals on the periodic table. Elements can be divided into two broad categories: