How are elements arranged into chemical families on the periodic table?

• A. By their physical state at room temperature
• B. By similar valence electron configurations
• C. By increasing atomic mass
• D. By the number of neutrons in the nucleus

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that the periodic table is organized to reflect patterns in element properties.
2. Recognize that elements in the same chemical family (group) share similar chemical behaviors.
3. Know that these similarities arise because elements in the same family have similar valence electron configurations.
4. Recall that valence electrons are the outermost electrons involved in chemical bonding and reactions.
5. Therefore, elements are arranged into chemical families based on having similar valence electron configurations, not by physical state, atomic mass, or neutron number.