What is the term used to describe a vertical column in the periodic table?

The term used to describe a vertical column in the periodic table is "Group" or "Family". In the periodic table, elements in the same group share similar chemical properties and have the same number of valence electrons, which largely govern how those elements react chemically. This vertical organization helps to classify elements based on their shared characteristics, making it easier for chemists to predict how they will behave in different chemical reactions.

Each group is numbered from 1 to 18, with each grouping reflecting a different level of reactivity and other properties. For example, Group 1 contains the alkali metals, which are highly reactive, while Group 18 contains the noble gases, which are largely inert.

The other terms listed, such as "Row," refers to horizontal arrangements in the periodic table (known as periods), while "Series" may refer to sequences of elements but does not specifically define the vertical columns. These distinctions highlight the importance of the grouping in understanding the periodic trends and relationships among elements.