Question

Vertical columns in the periodic table are referred to by what two terms?

Short answer

They are called "Groups" and "Families."

Step-by-step solution

Identify Groups

In the periodic table, vertical columns are primarily referred to as 'Groups'. Each group contains elements with similar chemical properties because they have the same number of valence electrons.

Recognize Families

Vertical columns in the periodic table can also be called 'Families'. This term is used to convey the similar characteristics or properties that elements in the same column share.

Key concepts

Groups

The periodic table is organized into vertical columns known as 'Groups'. Groups are an essential feature because they help us understand how different elements share similar chemical behaviors. Every group in the periodic table consists of elements that have the same number of valence electrons, which greatly influences their reactivity and form of compounds.
Here's how groups are typically identified:

• There are a total of 18 groups in the standard periodic table, numbered from 1 to 18.
• Elements in the same group display a trend in properties, such as increasing atomic size from top to bottom within a group.

This systematic arrangement allows scientists and students to predict how elements will interact in chemical bonding based on their group position. Groups reflect periodic trends, meaning you can often predict a host of an element’s properties simply by knowing which group it belongs to. This includes physical aspects like melting points and chemical aspects like oxidation states.

Families

In addition to being called groups, the vertical columns in the periodic table are also referred to as 'Families'. This term is used because elements in the same family share a set of chemical and physical characteristics. These similarities arise due to elements in a family having the same number of valence electrons.
Some common examples of element families include:

• The Alkali Metals (Group 1), such as lithium and sodium, which are highly reactive and combine readily with other elements.
• The Halogens (Group 17), including fluorine and chlorine, known for their reactivity and ability to form salts.
• The Noble Gases (Group 18), like neon and argon, which are mostly inert due to their filled valence electron shells.

When exploring elements within a family, you'll notice they often find similar applications due to these shared traits. For example, all noble gases are used in lighting because of their inert nature. Recognizing these families helps in not only identifying the characteristics of an element but also predicting its behavior in different conditions.

Valence Electrons

Valence electrons are the outermost electrons of an atom and are crucial to understanding how elements interact chemically. These electrons determine an element’s ability to bond with other elements, and they are the main reason similar properties are observed within a group or family on the periodic table.
Some important points about valence electrons include:

• The number of valence electrons in an atom typically determines its reactivity and the types of bonds it can form.
• Elements in the same group have the same number of valence electrons, which correlates to their similar chemical properties.
• The Group number, for main group elements, often corresponds to the number of valence electrons (e.g., Group 1 elements have 1 valence electron).

Valence electrons are key to chemical reactions. For instance, elements with one valence electron, like the alkali metals, tend to lose that electron easily, facilitating the formation of ionic bonds. Understanding valence electrons helps predict how different elements might interact or behave when included in a chemical compound or reaction.