In descriptive inorganic chemistry, elements are usually studied group by group in the periodic table. The main groups are:
1. Alkali Metals (Group 1)
- Examples: Li, Na, K
- Soft metals, highly reactive, form oxides, hydroxides, and salts.
2. Alkaline Earth Metals (Group 2)
- Examples: Be, Mg, Ca
- Less reactive than alkali metals, form oxides and hydroxides.
3. Transition Metals (d-block)
- Examples: Fe, Cu, Zn, Cr
- Form colored compounds, complexes, and alloys; often used as catalysts.
4. Post-Transition Metals
- Examples: Al, Sn, Pb
- Softer metals, form oxides and salts; some are amphoteric.
5. Metalloids
- Examples: B, Si, As
- Have both metallic and nonmetallic properties.
6. Nonmetals
- Examples: H, C, N, O, P, S
- Form molecular compounds, acids, and oxides.
7. Halogens (Group 17)
- Examples: F, Cl, Br, I
- Highly reactive nonmetals, form salts and interhalogen compounds.
8. Noble Gases (Group 18)
- Examples: He, Ne, Ar
- Chemically inert, rarely form compounds, used in lighting and lasers.
In short:
Descriptive inorganic chemistry studies elements by groups: alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, transition metals, post-transition metals, metalloids, nonmetals, halogens, and noble gases, focusing on their properties and compounds.