What are the rows called and what are the columns called in the periodic table?

Key Concepts

Periods

In the periodic table, the rows are called periods. Each period corresponds to the principal energy level of the electrons in the atoms of the elements within that row. As you move from left to right across a period, the atomic number increases, and elements typically exhibit a gradual change in properties.

Groups

The columns in the periodic table are known as groups or families. Elements within the same group share similar chemical properties due to having the same number of valence electrons. This similarity often results in comparable reactivity and bonding characteristics among the elements in a group.

Periodic Trends

Periodic trends refer to the predictable patterns observed in the properties of elements as you move across periods or down groups in the periodic table. These trends include atomic radius, ionization energy, and electronegativity, which help in understanding the behavior of elements and their interactions in chemical reactions.