The elements in a column of the periodic table are known as d) a group.
A group, also called a family, consists of elements that are in the same vertical column. These elements share similar chemical properties due to having the same number of valence electrons. For example, the elements in Group 1, known as alkali metals, are all highly reactive and have one electron in their outermost shell. This similarity in properties is why the elements in a group behave in a predictable manner during chemical reactions.