What do the periods (horizontal rows) and groups (vertical columns) of the periodic table indicate to us about the elements that are categorized within them?

Periods indicate that a new period at a new principal energy level which is filled with electrons. Groups indicate that the elements share similar properties because their shells are filled with the same number of valence electons.

Explanation:

We see that starting at period 2 Li has a  +1 charge , He has +2 charge, B has +3 charge, C has the potential to have a +4 charge or -4 charge (because it can gain or loose electrons) and N has a -3 charge, etc. Groups however, have similar properties and every element in a 1A - 8A has the same number of valence electrons. All except the noble gases in which He only needs 2 electrons to be in a perfect state. This is its octet as it would be a completely different element if it had more than 2 electrons in its shell. An example of the groups sharing similar properties is if we were to look at group 1A. In group 1A we find H, Na, K, etc. These are all highly unstable elements when alone (not in a compound) and they are very reactive. If you were to put Na for instance in water, it would light up and you'd see a flame sitting on top of the water. A scientist could do that with the rest of the elements in the group and they would see this increasing in reactivity as you go down the periods. Francium isn't visible long enough to be able to see this happen though. It's more of that kind of element that scientists prove that it exists, but not a very common element to get to learn much about.

explanation:

the largest database of organic compounds lists about 10 million substances, which include compounds originating from living organisms and those synthesized by chemists. the number of potential organic compounds has been estimated at 1060—an astronomically high number. the existence of so many organic molecules is a consequence of the ability of carbon atoms to form up to four strong bonds to other carbon atoms, resulting in chains and rings of many different sizes, shapes, and complexities. the simplest organic compounds contain only the elements carbon and hydrogen, and are called hydrocarbons. even though they are composed of only two types of atoms, there is a wide variety of hydrocarbons because they may consist of varying lengths of chains, branched chains, and rings of carbon atoms, or combinations of these structures. in addition, hydrocarbons may differ in the types of carbon-carbon bonds present in their molecules. many hydrocarbons are found in plants, animals, and their fossils; other hydrocarbons have been prepared in the laboratory. we use hydrocarbons every day, mainly as fuels, such as natural gas, acetylene, propane, butane, and the principal components of gasoline, diesel fuel, and heating oil. the familiar plastics polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene are also hydrocarbons. we can distinguish several types of hydrocarbons by differences in the bonding between carbon atoms. this leads to differences in geometries and in the hybridization of the carbon orbitals.

"standard molar enthalpy:

h2o ( liquid water ) : - 285.8 kj/mole

h2o ( water vapor ) : - 241.8 kj / mole.

δhrxn = - 241. 8 - ( - 285.8 )= -241.8 + 285.8 = 44.0

answer: 44.0 kj"