Why isn't the periodic table shaped like a rectangle???

Answer 1

because it can't be, all the elements are connected and it's easier to show their connection as it is now

Answer 2

I don't know how much chem you have had, but basically with the way it is shaped is the most useful. It makes it very easy to know what the electron configuration is at a glance. The first two columns fill up the s-orbital and is called the s-block. The last 6 columns (minus He) fill up the 3 different p-orbitals, as you go from left to, and is called the p-block. These 2 blocks also tell you how many valence electrons an element has, starting with 1 on the far left to 8 on the far right. The 10 columns in between are the transition metals. This is where the d-orbitals fill up, but they don't occur until the 4th row because the d-orbitals are higher in energy than the first 3 sets of p-orbitals, and the first 4 s-orbitals, so they aren't filled up until later. The two rows at the bottom form the f-block. Technically it should be inserted in the 6th and 7th row, but are often separated in order to save space. f-orbitals are even higher in energy than d-orbitals, so they aren't even used until the 6th row. That's the best I can do without getting too technical, and I hope it provides you with some insight into the reason for the layout of the periodic table.

Answer 3

the crowd extensive type used to tell you the way many electrons are on the outer shell. Now that's somewhat with regard to the configuration of the electrons. The era tells how many electron shells the atom has.

Answer 4

because when arranged periodically, the elements don't FIT in a rectangle. Sheesh, how old are you?

Answer 5

Should it be shaped like a period?

Answer 6

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Periodic_table