Question

Why is the 16th group in the periodic table known as "Chalcogens"?

Answer 1

The chalcogens are the name for the periodic table group 16 (old-style: VIB or VIA) in the periodic table. It is sometimes known as the oxygen family. It consists of the elements oxygen (O), sulfur (S), selenium (Se), tellurium (Te), the radioactive polonium (Po), and the synthetic ununhexium (Uuh). Their compounds, particularly the sulfides, selenides, and tellurides are collectively known as chalcogenides