Which of the following best describes the significance of the periodic table of elements?

• A. It provides the chemical formulas for all known compounds.
• B. It lists elements in alphabetical order to make them easier to find.
• C. It groups elements solely by their color and state at room temperature.
• D. It organizes elements based on their atomic number, revealing periodic trends in chemical and physical properties.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that the periodic table is a systematic arrangement of elements, not just a random list or based on superficial properties like color or state.
2. Recognize that the key organizing principle of the periodic table is the atomic number, which is the number of protons in an element's nucleus.
3. Know that arranging elements by increasing atomic number reveals periodic trends—patterns in chemical reactivity, atomic size, electronegativity, and other properties.
4. Realize that these periodic trends help predict the behavior of elements and their compounds, which is fundamental to understanding chemistry.
5. Conclude that the periodic table's significance lies in its ability to organize elements to reflect these trends, rather than simply listing formulas, alphabetical order, or grouping by color/state.