Which statement about the periodic table is correct?

Which statement about the periodic table is correct?

• A. Elements are arranged by increasing atomic weight
• B. Elements are arranged by increasing number of protons
• C. Elements are arranged alphabetically by symbol
• D. Elements are arranged by increasing atomic number

Answer: (D)

The periodic table is organized by increasing atomic number, which is the number of protons in an atom’s nucleus. This single number defines the element’s identity and determines the arrangement of its electrons, which in turn drives chemical properties and the repeating patterns we see across groups and periods. Organizing by atomic number is more reliable than by atomic weight, because weight can vary with isotopes and isn’t the same for all atoms of an element. Alphabetical ordering by symbol wouldn’t reflect how elements behave or how their properties change predictably across the table. So the order increases by one proton at a time, providing a consistent framework that links an element’s structure to its chemistry.

The periodic table is organized by increasing atomic number, which is the number of protons in an atom’s nucleus. This single number defines the element’s identity and determines the arrangement of its electrons, which in turn drives chemical properties and the repeating patterns we see across groups and periods. Organizing by atomic number is more reliable than by atomic weight, because weight can vary with isotopes and isn’t the same for all atoms of an element. Alphabetical ordering by symbol wouldn’t reflect how elements behave or how their properties change predictably across the table. So the order increases by one proton at a time, providing a consistent framework that links an element’s structure to its chemistry.