chem: how can I determine the family, period, property and valence electron w/o the use of a periodic table?

Question

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Answer 1

You could use the electron configuration of the element. The ending (outer-most) level with the highest number will tell you the period of the element. The ending orbitals (s, p, d, f) will tell you the block on the periodic table. The total number of electrons in the highest energy level will give you the number of valence electrons, which is also the family of the element. Knowing the number of valence electrons allows you to predict the properties of the element.

Answer 2

You can memorize a bunch of stuff.

All of the alkali metals (group 1) lose one valence electron (from s orbital) and tend to react with water. The greater the atomic mass the more reactive they are because it is easier for the heavier alkali elements to lose an electron.

The alkaline earth metals (group 2) lose two valence electrons (from s orbital) and will react with steam but not with liquid water. They also become more reactive as they become more massive for the same reason.

The transitional metals tend to either lose one or two electrons from their s orbital or (if two electrons are already lost from the s orbital) additional electrons from their d orbital. This means that they can have different valences or oxidation states depending on what they are reacting with and how much thermal energy is supplied.

The Non metals, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, fluorine, and those below them, tend to GAIN electrons to complete their electron orbitals and form what is called "Noble Gas Shells". Carbon gains 4, Nitrogen - 3, Oxygen - 2, and Fluorine gains 1 electron.

The non-metals are completing their p orbital, having already filled their s orbitals.

The Noble Gases are inert and don't react with other elements.