Question

What is the term for the elements on the right side of the periodic table?

Short answer

The elements on the right side of the periodic table are known as non-metals.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Structure of the Periodic Table

The periodic table is structured into several groups (columns) and periods (rows). The elements on the right side of the periodic table belong to the last few groups.

Identify Groups on the Right

The groups on the right side of the periodic table are Group 17, which are the Halogens, and Group 18, which contains the Noble Gases.

Recognize the Common Term

Elements on the far right, particularly those in Group 18, are often referred to as Noble Gases. Together with the Halogens, they are known as non-metals, which encompasses elements that typically have higher electronegativities and do not conduct electricity well.

Key concepts

Groups and Periods

The periodic table is like a map for chemistry. It is organized into vertical columns called groups and horizontal rows known as periods. Each group includes elements that have similar chemical properties and the same number of electrons in their outermost shell. For example, Group 1 elements are known for having just one electron in their outer shell, making them highly reactive.
Periods, on the other hand, reflect the energy levels of electrons around an atom. As you move from left to right across a period, each element has one more proton and electron than the element before it. This arrangement helps in predicting the behavior of elements in chemical reactions, as elements behave differently depending on which group or period they are in.

Halogens

Located in Group 17 of the periodic table, halogens are a unique group of non-metals known for their high reactivity, particularly with alkali metals and alkaline earth metals. Halogens include elements such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and astatine.
These elements have seven electrons in their outermost shell, which means they need just one more electron to achieve a stable electron configuration. This need makes halogens very eager to gain that extra electron, leading to their reactivity.

• Fluorine is the most reactive, often forming compounds even under the mildest conditions.
• Chlorine, another common halogen, is widely used for disinfection purposes, such as in drinking water and swimming pools.
• Bromine and iodine are less reactive than fluorine and chlorine but still form a range of compounds.
• Astatine is the rarest of the halogens and is less understood due to its scarcity.

Halogens play essential roles in various applications, from industrial materials to essential nutrients for health.

Noble Gases

Positioned in Group 18, the noble gases consist of elements like helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, and radon. These elements are remarkable for their relative unreactivity and are often found in their gaseous state at room temperature. This group of elements is characterized by a full set of electrons in their outer shell, typically leading to their lack of chemical reactivity.
The completeness of their electron configurations makes them extremely stable and unlikely to form compounds under normal conditions. However, under specific circumstances, some noble gases can form compounds, such as xenon hexafluoroplatinate.

• Helium, the lightest noble gas, is used in balloons and airships due to its low density and non-flammability.
• Neon lights up signage across the world, revealing its ability to emit bright, colorful light when electrified.
• Argon is often used in welding to shield metals from oxidation, taking advantage of its inertness.

The noble gases play essential roles in scientific research and various industrial applications, from lighting to preserving reactive substances.