GlossariesGCSE GlossariesGCSE Chemistry GlossaryGroups

Groups - GCSE Chemistry Definition

Reviewed by: Richard Boole

Published

In GCSE Chemistry, the term 'Groups' refers to the columns in the periodic table of elements. Each group contains elements that have similar chemical properties because they have the same number of electrons in their outer shell. For example, Group 1 is known as the alkali metals and includes elements like lithium and sodium, which are very reactive. On the other hand, Group 8 also known as Group 0 is known as the noble gases, such as helium and neon, which are unreactive. Understanding groups helps us predict how different elements will behave in chemical reactions.

Examiner-written GCSE Chemistry revision resources that improve your grades 2x

  • Written by expert teachers and examiners
  • Aligned to exam specifications
  • Everything you need to know, and nothing you don’t
GCSE Chemistry revision resources

Share this article

Richard Boole

Reviewer: Richard Boole

Expertise: Chemistry Content Creator

Richard has taught Chemistry for over 15 years as well as working as a science tutor, examiner, content creator and author. He wasn’t the greatest at exams and only discovered how to revise in his final year at university. That knowledge made him want to help students learn how to revise, challenge them to think about what they actually know and hopefully succeed; so here he is, happily, at SME.

The examiner written revision resources that improve your grades 2x.

Join now