Periodic table question for the chemistry smart?

Question

http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/1314/2ta8.png

In which segment of this figure will properties of the elements vary the most? A or B?

Answer 1

A

The columns (vertical) are called groups and have similar properties. The first group, for example, reacts with water, some members of the group even explode in water.

The rows (horizontal) all have the same outermost electron "level", but with more and more electrons as you go accross the row to the right. The elements in a row have almost nothing in common with each other.

Answer 2

They will vary the most in A, the succession of horizontal squares across the periodic table. This is because the properties will be most similar in B, the column of squares going vertically down. This is a result of the periodic law, that the chemical properties of the elements are periodic functions of their atomic numbers. In other words, as you lay out the table, one element after another, you come to similar properties again and again, so you line up elements with similar properties in columns an start new rows.

Answer 3

Answer: A

The properties of elements in a group (vertical) tend to be similar because the valence (number of electrons in the outer shell) is the same. Therefore, the properties of elements in the row would vary the most.

Answer 4

I agree... A