Question

How do atoms relate to the periodic table?

Answer 1

The properties of an atom relate directly to the number of electrons in various orbitals, and the periodic table is much like a road map among those orbitals such that chemical properties can be deduced by the position of an element on the table.

Answer 2

The organization of electrons in atoms explains not only the shape of the periodic table but also the fact that elements in the same column of the periodic table have similar chemistry. The same concept applies to the other columns of the periodic table.