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Elements in the same family generally have similar chemical properties because they have similar valence electron configurations. This determines how they will react.
Pearline Blick
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoThe answer to this question comes largely down to quantum mechanics. If you've noticed, the period table has a funny shape. That's because the elements are not only arranged in order of increasing atomic number (number of protons in the nucleus), but they are also arranged by electron configuration. Electrons are arranged in atoms in a certain way. First, they are arranged in shells, represented in the Periodic Table as horizontal rows, or periods. Elements in the same row have their outermost (or valence) electrons in the same shell, which means they have approximately the same energy. You can't fill in a shell until the lower shell is completely full, which makes the horizontal row structure of the periodic table work. Next, within each shell, as you fill in each shell, you place electrons into sub-shells, and this is where the family comes in. Basically, elements within the same column (family) but different rows (periods) have their outermost (valence) electrons in the same sub-shell of different shells. While this does not mean that the elements are the same by any means, it does mean they will generally share some characteristics because their valence electrons are in the same configurations and thus behave very similarly.
A more advanced explanation would have to not only include the myriad reasons why similar electron configurations lead to similar physical properties, but also include a treatment of hybridization (where sub-shells "merge"), etc.
Thanks for the question and the chance for a washed-up physics major to exercise his brain.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoIt has to do with the number of valence electrons in the outermost electron level. This determines how likely the element is to react, and it determines with which types of substances the element is likely to react with.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoBecause they have the same number of valence electrons, which are the primary determinants of chemical reactivity.
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoElements in the same family generally have similar chemical properties because they have similar valence electron configurations. This determines how they will react.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoBecause they have the same number of principal energy levels
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What elements within a family tend to share?
similar chemical properties and characteristics
What elements on the poeriodic table tend to have similar physical and chemical properties?
Both elements, sodium (Na) and potassium (K) lie in the Group 1 column of the Periodic Table , which contains the members of the Alkali Metals family. Members within a family, or column, of elements tend to have similar chemical properties.
Why do atoms within the same family have similar chemical properties?
The reason for similar properties among the elements is due to the resemblance in the electronic configuration of all the elements of a family. For example :- Each element of Alkali metals family has 1 electron in their outermost shell. Hence, they all have similar properties
Do the elements in a group of priodic table have the similar chemical and physical properties?
The elements in a group have the similar chemical properties dueto presence of same no of electrons in their outermost shell but they differ physically because physical properties are related to their atomic sizes from top to bottom in a group atomic size increases so their physical properties also differ.
How can one show that elements that have different appearances have similar chemical properties?
You can experiement with the melting point, boiling point, and freezing point of the elements to prove they have similar properties. This and you can check the different physical and other chemical properties for similarities and comparison.
What do element in an element family have similar?
Elements in the same family, or group, have similar physical and chemical properties.
Elements in a have similar chemical properties?
a group of elements that have similar properties are arranged one on top of the other on the periodic table. These groups are also called families
What can be said about combining capacity of elements within a family in chemistry?
Elements from a family have similar chemical properties.
What elements within a family tend to share?
similar chemical properties and characteristics
Why are all the elements in a column called a family?
They all have similar chemical properties, take chemical properties to be physical traits and it much resembles a family
What elements on the poeriodic table tend to have similar physical and chemical properties?
Both elements, sodium (Na) and potassium (K) lie in the Group 1 column of the Periodic Table , which contains the members of the Alkali Metals family. Members within a family, or column, of elements tend to have similar chemical properties.
In the periodic table elements in the same column have?
Elements in the same column have similar chemical properties. They are from the same family.
What are elements with the same number if valence electrons and similar chemical properties?
those elements are in the same 'family' or 'group'
Why do atoms within the same family have similar chemical properties?
The reason for similar properties among the elements is due to the resemblance in the electronic configuration of all the elements of a family. For example :- Each element of Alkali metals family has 1 electron in their outermost shell. Hence, they all have similar properties
Elements in the same family have similar what?
Elements in the same family-assuming family means classifications such as non-metals, metals-have similar properties.
Do the elements in a group of priodic table have the similar chemical and physical properties?
The elements in a group have the similar chemical properties dueto presence of same no of electrons in their outermost shell but they differ physically because physical properties are related to their atomic sizes from top to bottom in a group atomic size increases so their physical properties also differ.
Why are the elements in each group int he periodic table considered a family?
Because they have many similar chemical properties.
