Study resource
The periodic table key terms
Study The periodic table with curriculum-aligned Key Terms resources, practice links, and exam-focused support.
At a glance
key terms
Resource type
Topic
The periodic table
Key terms
non-metal
An element that typically does not form positive ions.
positive ion
A charged particle formed when an atom loses one or more electrons.
metals
Elements that are typically found on the left side and in the centre of the periodic table, known for forming positive ions.
periodic table
A tabular arrangement of elements organized by increasing atomic number, where metals are located in specific regions.
non-metal
An element that typically does not form positive ions and is found on the right side of the periodic table.
periodic table
A tabular arrangement of elements organized by increasing atomic number, showing trends in properties and grouping metals and non-metals.
metals
Elements that react to form positive ions and typically have high electrical and thermal conductivity.
non-metals
Elements that do not usually form positive ions and often have lower electrical and thermal conductivity compared to metals.
metal
An element that typically reacts to form positive ions.
non-metal
An element that does not usually form positive ions.
electron arrangement
The distribution of electrons in an atom's electron shells, which influences its chemical reactivity.
atomic number
The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom, which determines the element's identity and position in the periodic table.
Group 0
The group in the periodic table that contains noble gases, characterized by having a full outer electron shell.
noble gases
Elements in Group 0 of the periodic table that are unreactive due to their stable electron arrangements.
noble gases
Elements in Group 0 of the periodic table that are characterized by having a full outer electron shell, making them unreactive.
stable electron arrangement
An electron configuration where the outer shell of an atom is fully occupied, resulting in low reactivity.
helium
A noble gas with two electrons in its outer shell.
noble gases
Elements in Group 0 that have stable electron arrangements and are generally unreactive.
noble gases
Elements in Group 0 of the periodic table that are unreactive due to their stable electron arrangements.
molecules
Groups of two or more atoms bonded together, which noble gases do not easily form.
noble gases
Elements in Group 0 of the periodic table that are characterized by having a full outer electron shell, making them unreactive.
boiling point trend
The observed increase in boiling points of noble gases as you move down Group 0 in the periodic table.
Group 0 elements
Elements in Group 0 of the periodic table, known as noble gases, which are characterized by having a complete outer electron shell.
trends down Group 0
Patterns observed in the properties of noble gases, such as boiling points, as one moves down the group in the periodic table.
Group 1 elements
Elements in the first column of the periodic table, known as alkali metals.
alkali metals
Highly reactive metals in Group 1 of the periodic table, characterized by having one electron in their outer shell.
Group 1 elements
Elements in the first column of the periodic table, known as alkali metals, that have one electron in their outer shell.
outer shell
The highest energy level of electrons in an atom, which determines the chemical properties of an element.
alkali metals
Elements in Group 1 of the periodic table, characterized by having one electron in their outer shell.
reaction with oxygen
The chemical process that occurs when lithium, sodium, and potassium combine with oxygen, resulting in the formation of metal oxides.
Related topics