| A | B |
|---|
| metal | an element that will likely give up electrons, also malleable, ductile, and a good conductor of heat and electricity |
| non-metal | an element that will likely take electrons and are poor conductors of heat and electricity |
| semi-metal | an element that may either take or give electrons, sometimes called metalloids |
| malleable | can be hammered into a thin sheet |
| ductile | can be drawn into a thin wire |
| cation | a positive ion |
| anion | a negative ion |
| valence | the bonding capacity of an element |
| oxidation number | number assigned to an element with sign, + indicating losing electrons, - indicating gaining electrons |
| Alkali metals | most active family of metals, far left column on periodic table, +1 oxidation number |
| Alkali-earth metals | family of active metals characterized by +2 oxidation number, second column of elements from left on periodic table |
| Noble Gases | Inert Gases found on far right-hand column of periodic table |
| Halogen | most active family of non-metals, second column from right on periodic table, -1 oxidation number |
| free electrons | loosely held electrons in a metal and the basis for metallic characteristics of good conductivity |
| luster | shiney |
| Transition Metals | elements found in the "d" orbital block of the periodic table |
