Which term describes elements arranged in the same vertical column with similar chemical properties?

Which term describes elements arranged in the same vertical column with similar chemical properties?

• A. Period
• B. Block
• C. Family
• D. Group

Answer: (D)

Elements in a vertical column share the same valence electron configuration, which leads to similar chemical properties. This vertical column in the periodic table is called a group. Periods are horizontal rows, blocks refer to the major orbital type being filled (s, p, d, or f), and while some people use “family” informally to mean a group, the formal term used in chemistry is Group.

Elements in a vertical column share the same valence electron configuration, which leads to similar chemical properties. This vertical column in the periodic table is called a group. Periods are horizontal rows, blocks refer to the major orbital type being filled (s, p, d, or f), and while some people use “family” informally to mean a group, the formal term used in chemistry is Group.