<P> A group or family is a vertical column in the periodic table . Groups usually have more significant periodic trends than periods and blocks , explained below . Modern quantum mechanical theories of atomic structure explain group trends by proposing that elements within the same group generally have the same electron configurations in their valence shell . Consequently , elements in the same group tend to have a shared chemistry and exhibit a clear trend in properties with increasing atomic number . However , in some parts of the periodic table , such as the d - block and the f - block , horizontal similarities can be as important as , or more pronounced than , vertical similarities . </P>
<P> A group or family is a vertical column in the periodic table . Groups usually have more significant periodic trends than periods and blocks , explained below . Modern quantum mechanical theories of atomic structure explain group trends by proposing that elements within the same group generally have the same electron configurations in their valence shell . Consequently , elements in the same group tend to have a shared chemistry and exhibit a clear trend in properties with increasing atomic number . However , in some parts of the periodic table , such as the d - block and the f - block , horizontal similarities can be as important as , or more pronounced than , vertical similarities . </P>
what is another name for groups in the periodic table
what is another name for groups in the periodic table
family
family