Horizontal rows on the periodic table are called what?

Study for the Cambridge Science – States of Matter Test. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, with hints and explanations for each question. Ready yourself for your exam!

Multiple Choice

Horizontal rows on the periodic table are called what?

Explanation:
Horizontal rows on the periodic table are called periods. This term fits because each period represents the sequence of elements that have the same number of electron shells, with a new shell beginning to fill as you move from left to right across the row. As you go across a period, protons and electrons increase, so properties gradually change, while the shell count stays the same. Vertical columns, by contrast, are groups (also called families) where elements share similar chemical behavior due to their valence electrons. The term series isn’t the standard designation for rows in this context.

Horizontal rows on the periodic table are called periods. This term fits because each period represents the sequence of elements that have the same number of electron shells, with a new shell beginning to fill as you move from left to right across the row. As you go across a period, protons and electrons increase, so properties gradually change, while the shell count stays the same. Vertical columns, by contrast, are groups (also called families) where elements share similar chemical behavior due to their valence electrons. The term series isn’t the standard designation for rows in this context.

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