what are representative elements

Representative elements, also known as main group elements, are the elements in the periodic table with atoms filling s and p electron orbitals. They are groups 1 and 2 and 13-17, and sometimes group 18 or the noble gases, depending on the definition used. Representative elements get their name because each element shares or represents the properties of other elements in its group. They have filled inner orbitals and unfinished outermost orbitals or valence shells. The general properties of the representative elements are expected of the group to which they belong because the representative elements of the same group have similar electronic configurations. Representative elements are also known as "Group A," "S and P Block Elements," or "Main Group Elements". The representative elements are the most abundant elements on earth.