Based on the information in the table, which elements are most likely in the same periods of the periodic table?

Facts about Five Elements
\begin{tabular}{|l|c|c|c|c|}
\hline \multicolumn{1}{|c|}{Element} & \begin{tabular}{c}
Atomic \\
mass (amu)
\end{tabular} & \begin{tabular}{c}
Total \\
electrons
\end{tabular} & \begin{tabular}{c}
Valence \\
electrons
\end{tabular} & Year isolated \\
\hline Aluminum (Al) & 27 & 13 & 3 & 1825 \\
\hline Boron (B) & 11 & 5 & 3 & 1808 \\
\hline Carbon (C) & 12 & 6 & 4 & 1803 \\
\hline Gallium (Ga) & 70 & 31 & 3 & 1875 \\
\hline Germanium (Ge) & 73 & 32 & 4 & 1886 \\
\hline
\end{tabular}

A. Boron and carbon are likely together in one period because they have very close atomic masses, while gallium and germanium are likely together in another period because they have very close atomic masses.
B. Aluminum, boron, and carbon are likely together in one period because they were first isolated in the first half of the 1800s, while gallium and germanium are likely together in another period because they were first isolated in the second half.
C. Boron and carbon are likely together in one period because they each end in "-2," while aluminum, gallium, and germanium are likely together in another period because they each end in "-ium."
D. Aluminum, boron, and gallium are likely together in one group because they have the same number of valence electrons, and carbon and germanium are likely together in another group because they have the same number of valence electrons.

To determine which elements are most likely in the same periods of the periodic table, we can analyze the given facts about each element, particularly focusing on the number of valence electrons. Elements in the same period of the periodic table typically have similar valence electron configurations and similar chemical properties.

Let’s break it down step-by-step:

1. Aluminum (Al)
- Atomic mass: 27
- Total electrons: 13
- Valence electrons: 3
- Year isolated: 1825

2. Boron (B)
- Atomic mass: 11
- Total electrons: 5
- Valence electrons: 3
- Year isolated: 1808

3. Carbon (C)
- Atomic mass: 12
- Total electrons: 6
- Valence electrons: 4
- Year isolated: 1803

4. Gallium (Ga)
- Atomic mass: 70
- Total electrons: 31
- Valence electrons: 3
- Year isolated: 1875

5. Germanium (Ge)
- Atomic mass: 73
- Total electrons: 32
- Valence electrons: 4
- Year isolated: 1886

Given the focus on valence electrons for grouping elements in the same period:

- Aluminum (Al), Boron (B), and Gallium (Ga) each have 3 valence electrons. This similarity suggests that these elements might belong to the same period. However, traditionally, elements with the same number of valence electrons are more likely to belong to the same group (column) rather than the same period (row).

- Carbon (C) and Germanium (Ge) each have 4 valence electrons. This similarity suggests that these elements might also belong to the same period.

Grouping based on this pattern:

1. Group 1 (same period – 3 valence electrons):
- Aluminum (Al)
- Boron (B)
- Gallium (Ga)

2. Group 2 (same period – 4 valence electrons):
- Carbon (C)
- Germanium (Ge)

Therefore, the elements grouped into the same periods based on the number of valence electrons are as follows:

- Aluminum (Al), Boron (B), and Gallium (Ga) are likely in the same period.
- Carbon (C) and Germanium (Ge) are likely in the same period.

So the final grouping of elements into periods based on the given data is:
- Period 1: Aluminum (Al), Boron (B), Gallium (Ga)
- Period 2: Carbon (C), Germanium (Ge)