Chem Groups and the Table

Metals that react vigorously and dissolve readily in water to form strongely basic solutions and M+ ions. These metals are often so soft that they can be cut with a butter knife

Metals that react slowly to dissolve in water to form weakly basic solutions and ions M²⁺

Non-metals that react with Group 1 metals to form compounds have the ion X^2- & formula M₂X

Non metals that react with Group 1 metals to form salts having the ion X- and formula MX

Non metals that do not react with anything (except fluorine and very strong oxidizers)