THE PERIODIC TABLE
DOE-HDBK-1015/1-93
Fundamentals of Chemistry
CH-01
Rev. 0
Page 16
Figure 4 Regional Schematic of Periodic Table
Classes of the Periodic Table
There are three broad classes of elements. These are the metals, the non-metals, and the
semi-metals. These three classes are grouped together on the periodic table as shown on
Figure 4.
Metals
The metals constitute the largest class of elements and are located on the left and
toward the center of the periodic table as shown in Figure 4. In Figure 3, the heavy
line running step-wise from boron (B) to astatine (At) generally separates the metals
from the rest of the elements (elements in the actinide and lanthanide series are
metals). Metals tend to lose electrons to form positive ions rather than to gain
electrons and become negative ions.
