General Observations About the Main-Group Elements

An abridged periodic table showing the main-group elements 

Elements to the left of the heavy staircase line are largely metallic in character those to the right are largely nonmetallic. 

General Observations About the Main-Group Elements 

The metallic elements generally have low ionization energies and low electronegativities compared with the nonmetalUc elements. As a result, the metals tend to lose their valence electrons to form cations (Na, Ca, Al ) in compounds or in aqueous solution. Nonmetals, on the other hand, form monatomic anions (O, Cl ) and oxoanions (N03, S04 ). 

Solids are malleable and ductile Conductors of heat and electricity 

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