There are groups of elements that have similar properties, including
highly reactive metals, less-reactive metals, highly reactive nonmetals
(such as chlorine, fluorine, and oxygen), and some almost completely nonreactive
gases (such as helium and neon). An especially important kind of reaction
between substances involves combination of oxygen with something else--as
in burning or rusting. Some elements don't fit into any of the categories;
among them are carbon and hydrogen, essential elements of living matter.
| NSES Content Standard B
Physical Science: Properties and changes of properties in matter Grades 5-8, page 154 Substances react chemically in characteristic ways with other substances to form new substances (compounds) with different characteristic properties. In chemical reactions, the total mass is conserved. Substances often are placed in categories or groups if they react in similar ways; metals is an example of such a group. |