The periodic cylinder of the elements. When the periodic table is folded in such a way that the ...

The periodic cylinder of the elements. When the periodic table is folded in such a way that the noble gases and the alkaline earth metals are brought together, an additional insight into chemical reactivity can be gained. The elements to the left of the noble gases want to gain electrons, while the elements to the right of the noble gases want to lose electrons, to achieve the stable electron configuration of a noble gas. The number of electrons they want to gain or lose is indicated by their proximity to the noble gases. Elements directly next to the noble gases will gain or lose one electron, while elements two rows away from the noble gases will gain or lose two electrons, and so on.