In the vertical columns of the periodic table as the atomic numbers increase: the number of electrons in the valence shell increases the tendency to lose electrons decreases the ionization energies increase the size of the atom decreases the number of electron shells increase

In the vertical columns of the periodic table, also known as groups or families, as the atomic numbers increase:<br /><br />1. **The number of electrons in the valence shell increases**: This statement is generally incorrect. Within a group, elements have the same number of valence electrons. For example, all elements in Group 1 have one valence electron.<br /><br />2. **The tendency to lose electrons decreases**: This statement is incorrect. As you move down a group, the tendency to lose electrons actually increases because the outer electrons are further from the nucleus and are more easily removed.<br /><br />3. **The ionization energies increase**: This statement is incorrect. Ionization energy generally decreases as you move down a group because the outermost electrons are farther from the nucleus and are less tightly held.<br /><br />4. **The size of the atom decreases**: This statement is incorrect. The size of the atom, or atomic radius, generally increases as you move down a group due to the addition of electron shells.<br /><br />5. **The number of electron shells increase**: This statement is correct. As you move down a group, each successive element has an additional electron shell compared to the previous one.<br /><br />Therefore, the correct statement regarding the trends in the vertical columns of the periodic table as atomic numbers increase is that the number of electron shells increases.