The periodic table is organized into four main categories of elements: metals, nonmetals, metalloids, and noble gases.
1. **Metals**: These are the most abundant elements in the periodic table. Metals are typically shiny, good conductors of heat and electricity, and malleable. Examples include iron, gold, and aluminum.
2. **Nonmetals**: Nonmetals are generally poor conductors of heat and electricity. They are not shiny and are often brittle. Examples include carbon, sulfur, and oxygen.
3. **Metalloids**: Metalloids have properties that are intermediate between metals and nonmetals. They can conduct electricity but not as well as metals. Examples include silicon, arsenic, and boron.
4. **Noble Gases**: These are a group of chemical elements with very similar properties. They are all odorless, colorless, monatomic gases with very low chemical reactivity. Examples include helium, neon, and argon.
Understanding these categories helps in predicting the properties and behaviors of elements in chemical reactions.