Group (periodic table)

A group in the Periodic Table is any column of elements with common properties denoted by the electrons in the outermost layer. There are eight groups of elements in total:

• Group 1: the alkali metals
• Group 2: the alkaline earth metals
• Group 3: the boron family
• Group 4: the carbon family
• Group 5: the nitrogen family (pnictogens)
• Group 6: the oxygen family (chalcogens)
• Group 7: the halogens or fluorine family
• Group 8: the noble gases or helium family/neon family