Question

Each family, or group of elements in a vertical column of the periodic table has elements with chemical characteristics that are ______.

a) Different in metallic properties
b) Similar in atomic number
c) Similar in chemical reactivity
d) Different in atomic mass

Answer 1

The elements within a group or family on the periodic table share similar chemical reactivity due to the same number of valence electrons.

Step-by-step explanation:

Each family, or group of elements in a vertical column of the periodic table has elements with chemical characteristics that are similar in chemical reactivity. This similarity is due to elements in a group having the same number of valence electrons, which results in comparable chemical behaviors.

For instance, elements in Group 1 of the periodic table are known as alkali metals and share properties such as high reactivity and forming compounds in similar ratios. On the other hand, as you move down a group, elements tend to exhibit an increase in metallic character even though their chemical reactivity remains similar.