What describes the repeating pattern of physical and chemical properties in the periodic table?

The term that describes the repeating pattern of physical and chemical properties in the periodic table is periodicity. This concept arises from the way elements are organized in the table, where similar properties recur at regular intervals as you move across a period (from left to right) and down a group (from top to bottom).

Periodic trends, such as ionization energy, electronegativity, and atomic radius, can be observed due to the arrangement of electrons in the outer shells and their interactions. This systematic variation in properties allows chemists to predict the behavior of elements based on their position in the table, forming a foundational aspect of understanding chemical behavior and relationships.

While terms like periodic change or periodic arrangement may seem related, they do not specifically capture the concept of the recurring and systematic repetition of properties that characterize periodicity. Atomic theory, on the other hand, relates more directly to the structure and behavior of atoms themselves, rather than the trends and patterns observable in their organization within the periodic table.