Why do elements in a vertical column of the periodic table have similar chemical properties?

they have the same number of outer electrons.

they have equal numbers of protons and electrons.

they have the same number of electrons

they have the same number of protons.

There is one s orbital, and there are three p orbitals, five d orbitals, and seven f orbitals. thus, the answer is b. do not confuse the number of orbitals in a subshell with the number of electrons the subshell can hold. each orbital can hold two electrons, so the capacity of an nf subshell is 14 electrons.