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The groups in the Periodic Table of elements (the "normal" one) go down the chart. That's because we arranged the elements in increasing order of atomic number, but also in order of valence electron count. It is by looking at the position of an element on the periodic table that we can determine the number of electrons in its outer or valence shell, and we can, thereby, make some good guesses about its chemical properties. As a quick "for instance" here, look at the elements going down the left hand side of the table. These are the Group 1 elements, which are hydrogen, lithium, sodium and on down. And all of them have one lonely electron in their valence band. If you guessed that these elements are reactive and are looking to "hook up" with elements that want to borrow electrons, you'd be right. Further, if you consider the elements that lack only one electron in their valence band from having a full outer shell, which are the Group 17 elements beginning with fluorine, chlorine and the rest of the so-called halogens, you'd guess that these elements are also highly reactive and want to borrow an electron real bad. The last piece of the puzzle is that if you put one atom of a Group 1 element with 1 atom of a Group 17 element, you will get a chemical reaction where the Group 1 element gives up its valence electron to the Group 17 element because that element steals it. The elements form a chemical compound with an ionic bond, and they do so in a one-to-one ratio in every case. That's the whole idea behind the construction of the periodic table of elements. It lets us guess with just a glance what kind of things we can expect of the elements we inspect as regards their chemistry - how they react with other elements. Simple and easy for us, but the table and its construction represent the "coming together" of the life's work of a number of bright and creative scientists. Why not honor them and learn a few things about this handy, clever construct and what it can do for you? If you need a link to a good periodic table, use the one below. It will take you to the Wikipedia periodic table, and what's cool is that each element is a hyperlink to the Wikipedia post on that particular element. What a clever idea.

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What is a period in a periodic table?

a row going acrossNOT to be confused with groups or families which go down in columns and have to do with valence electrons


What happens to the radii of the elements between 2 highest peaks?

The radii of elements generally decrease as you move from left to right across a period in the periodic table. The radii then increase as you move down a group in the periodic table. This trend is due to changes in the atomic structure of the elements.


Electron affinity tends to what?

Electron affinity is an elements' ability to attract electrons and is variable for each element. Generally the more electronegative atoms are furthest to the right bottom of the periodic table and ascending to the left the elements lose their electron accepting ability.


What is the relationship between the atomic radius of an element and its position on the periodic table?

The atomic radius of an element generally decreases as you move from left to right across a period on the periodic table. This is because the number of protons and electrons increases, leading to a stronger attraction between the nucleus and the outer electrons, causing the atomic radius to decrease. However, the atomic radius tends to increase as you move down a group on the periodic table due to the addition of new energy levels, which results in the electrons being further away from the nucleus.


Does the atoms on the periodic table get more dense or less dense as you move down a group?

As you go down the periodic table, the density of elements increase. For metals, going down a group results in more d-orbitals being filled with electrons. This in turn increases the metallic covalent bond strength, causing the atoms to be drawn closer together. Increasing metallic bond strength and increasing atomic weight result in increasing metal densities. For nonmetals, intermolecular forces are mainly involved. As you go down the periodic table on the right side London dispersion forces become stronger because there is a larger separation of partial charges across larger atoms. Increasing intraatomic dipole moments result in increasing Van Der Waals intermolecular forces from which the mass to volume ratio of molecules increases.

Related Questions

How does reading across a period the periodic table compare with reading down a group of the table?

Periods (across the Periodic Table) have increasing Atomic Mass. Groups (down the table) have similar properties and reactive natures.


A chart that arranges all known elements into groups?

Is the Periodic Table. The columns down are the GROUPS The lines across are the PERIODS.


Which choice has the element groups in the correct order from left to right on the periodic table Apex?

In the modern Periodic Table ;- #1 ; Groups are the columns down. #2 ; Periods are the lines across.


Which direction are families on the periodic table?

groups on the periodic table are the vertical coumns that go up and down. A period on the periodic table are the rows that go horizontal or across.


How do scientists use periodic table?

elements down are families or similar traits elements across is groups same proton count


How does one recognize a periodic trend on the periodic table?

one should look for predictable changes and patterns


What are some good questions about the periodic table?

Some good questions about periodic table: where are metalloids placed? why group 18 elements are inactive? How many groups and periods are in periodic table? How reactivity changes across and down the group?


How does electronegative change going down and across the table?

Electronegativity increases across (left to right) the periodic table and decreases on going down.


What are groups on the periodic table?

there are alot of groups in the periodic table. to many to mention but each element is grouped into is like chemicals generally down the periodic table. heres a link which will give you all the groups and there properties http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Group_%28periodic_table%29


Do periods go across or down?

Periods go across the periodic table. Groups go down.


How does electronegative change going down and across the periodic table?

Electronegativity generally decreases as you go down a group on the periodic table due to the increasing distance between the nucleus and valence electrons, reducing the attractive force. Across a period, electronegativity generally increases due to the increasing nuclear charge, pulling valence electrons closer and increasing their attraction.


What is the difference between a period and a group on the periodic table?

Periods on the periodic table go across and are based on the number of unexcited electrons increasing as you read across. Groups on the periodic table are read down the table and share the same number of valence electrons.