Group (in chemistry)

In chemistry, a group refers to a column of elements in the periodic table that share similar chemical properties because they have the same number of electrons in their outermost shell (valence electrons). These elements tend to react in similar ways. For example, the elements in Group 1, called alkali metals, all have one valence electron and are highly reactive. Groups help organize elements based on their behaviors, making it easier to understand and predict how different elements will interact chemically.