<P> In chemistry, a group (also known as a family) is a column of elements in the periodic table of the chemical elements . There are 18 numbered groups in the periodic table, and the f - block columns (between groups 3 and 4) are not numbered . The elements in a group have similar physical or chemical characteristics of the outermost electron shells of their atoms (i.e., the same core charge), as most chemical properties are dominated by the orbital location of the outermost electron . There are three systems of group numbering . The modern numbering group 1 to group 18 is recommended by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC). It replaces two older naming schemes that were mutually confusing . Also, groups may be identified by their topmost element or have a specific name . For example, group 16 is variously described as the oxygen group and chalcogens . </P> <P> In history, several sets of group names have been used: </P>

What does the group number in the periodic table tell us
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