Groups of the periodic table
All of the elements in the periodic table are divided up into groups. All of the elements in a group behave in the same way. They have some pretty weird names, though, which are very difficult to remember… unless you use the Mammoth Memory story technique, of course!
Note:
The groups most discussed in school Chemistry are:
Group 1 Alkali metals
Group 2 Alkali earth metals
Group 7 Halogens
Group 0 Noble gases
and the Transition metals
To remember the names of the groups, use the following story:
We were talking about groups, which is a coincidence – I was out for a walk with a group of friends just the other day.
1. Alkali metals
![Group 1 contains alkali metals such as potassium and sodium](/images/user/base/Chemistry/4. Periodic Table/2.4.84 Alkali metals memory aid (2).jpg)
Never call this group just alkalis, it should always be referred to as the alkali metals. Alkalis on their own are something entirely different. See our Acids and Alkalis section.
2. Alkaline earth metals
![The alkali earth metal group contains elements such as magnesium and calcium](/images/user/base/Chemistry/4. Periodic Table/2.4.85 Alkali earth metals memory aid (2).jpg)
Never call this group just the alkalines; these elements should always be referred to as the alkaline earth metals. The word alkaline refers to something entirely different. See our Acids and Alkalis section.
3. Transition metals
![The transition metal group contains elements such as gold and Iron](/images/user/base/Chemistry/4. Periodic Table/2.4.86 Transition metals mnemonic (3).jpg)
4. Icosagens
![The icosagens group also known as the boron group contains elements such as boron and aluminium](/images/user/base/Chemistry/4. Periodic Table/2.4.87 Icosagens memory aid (2).jpg)
We drove safely out of the alley and a very expensive jewellery store caught my eye – it was selling high cost gems. (Icosagens)
5. Crystallogens
![The Crystallogens group also known as the carbon group contain elements such as carbon and lead](/images/user/base/Chemistry/4. Periodic Table/2.4.88 Crystallogens memory aid (2).jpg)
6. Pnictogens
![The Pnictogens group also known as the nitrogen family contain elements such like nitrogen and Arsenic](/images/user/base/Chemistry/4. Periodic Table/2.4.89 Pnictogens memory aid (2).jpg)
7. Chalcogens
![The Chalcogen group also known as the oxygen family contains elements such as oxygen and Sulphur](/images/user/base/Chemistry/4. Periodic Table/2.4.90 Chalcogens memory aid (2).jpg)
8. Halogens
![The Halogen group contains elements such as chlorine and bromine](/images/user/base/Chemistry/4. Periodic Table/2.4.91 Halogen group (2).jpg)
9. Noble gases
![The noble gas group contains elements such as Helium and Neon](/images/user/base/Chemistry/4. Periodic Table/2.4.92 Noble gas image (2).jpg)
The angel presented the thief she had caught to the mayor. His clothes made him look very noble. (Noble gases)
Recap
So, to remind you, we…
- Had to walk down alley with alkies lying down. (Alkali)
- Saw alcohol in lines in the earth (Alkaline earth)
- Took a ride in a transit van (Transition)
- Stopped at a store selling high-cost gems (icosagens)
- Saw a necklace made of crystal… (crystallogens)
- …which got nicked (pnictogens)
- The storekeeper added things up on his calculator (chalcogens)
- An angel snared the thief with her halo (halogens)
- She took him to the mayor, who looked noble (noble gases)
![](/images/user/base/Maths/Logarithms/Reference%20Tables/reference-log-table-1.4df6ee6.jpg)
![](/images/user/base/Maths/Logarithms/Reference%20Tables/reference-log-table-2.d516bb3.jpg)
![](/images/user/base/Maths/Logarithms/Reference%20Tables/reference-anti-log-table-1.b0b0513.jpg)
![](/images/user/base/Maths/Logarithms/Reference%20Tables/reference-anti-log-table-2.f89189d.jpg)