Final answer:
The group (a) O, S, Te contains members with similar chemical properties because they are all chalcogens, belonging to Group 16 of the periodic table. These elements exhibit similar behaviors due to the same number and distribution of valence electrons.
Step-by-step explanation:
The group that contains members with similar chemical properties is (a) O, S, Te. These elements belong to the same family, known as chalcogens (Group 16 or 6A of the periodic table). The chalcogens share a common number of electrons in their valence shell, which accounts for their similar chemical behaviors. For example, Oxygen (O) is at the top of Group 16 and is a colorless gas, Selenium (Se) is a semiconducting solid in the middle of the group, and Tellurium (Te) is a solid that conducts electricity at the bottom.
Group names for elements based on their position in the periodic table:
- Halogens are in Group 17.
- Alkaline earth metals are in Group 2.
- Alkali metals are in Group 1.
- Noble gases have all their energy orbitals full and are in Group 18.