Describe how knowing the column (group) number is a "cheat code" for determining the number and types of bonds that an element can form.

Answer and Explanation:

The columns of the periodic table are able to inform the number and type of connection that the elements can make. This is because the number of each column informs the number of electrons in the valence layer of the elements. The amount of electrons in the valence layer is what determines the amount and type of bond that the elements make. The elements in column 1, for example, have 1 electron in the valence layer and therefore will make 1 covalent bond. The elements of columns 15, as another example, have 5 electrons in the valence layer and will need to make 3 ionic or covalent bonds.