Why do elements in a vertical column of the periodic table have similar chemical properties?
a. they possess the same number of outermost electrons.
b. they have similar physical characteristics.
c. they are found in similar locations in nature
d. they have similar atomic masses.

each  column  of the  table  is called a group. elements in a group share similar properties. groups are  read  from  top  to  bottom. metal. metalloid. nonmetal. solid. liquid. gas. fe. hg. o.  2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.  2. beryllium. 9.012. 4.  sodium. 22.990.  11. 3.  magnesium. 24.305.  12.  potassium. 39.098.  19. 4.  calcium. 40.078.  20. i guess  i  

it is the most commonly accepted one