Stable ions, Quick check

Question

Which property do the elements in each column of the representative elements series of the periodic table having common? (A) number of protons

Answer 1

In the periodic table, the elements in the same column (or group) of the representative elements (also known as main group elements) share several common properties. One of the most significant is the number of valence electrons, not the number of protons.

1. Valence Electrons: Elements in the same group have the same number of valence electrons, which contributes to their similar chemical properties. For example, elements in Group 1 have one valence electron, while those in Group 2 have two.

2. Chemical Behavior: Because they have the same number of valence electrons, elements within a group often exhibit similar chemical reactivities and bonding characteristics.

So, while elements in the same group do have similar elemental properties largely due to their valence electrons, the number of protons (which defines the identity of the element) varies across elements in different positions within that group. Each element has a unique number of protons corresponding to its atomic number.