THAT the intra-atomic charge of an element is determined by its place in the periodic table rather than by its atomic weight, as concluded by A. van der Broek (NATURE, November 27, p. 372), is ...

but the electron cloud shows the region where an electron is most likely to be. When the plastic strip is rubbed on the skin, electrons from the skin are transferred to the plastic giving the plastic ...

Elements in the same horizontal row are in the same period. The periods are numbered from top to bottom. The period number is the same as the number of occupied electron shells.

As you move from left to right across the periodic table ... of the filled inner electron levels. These electrons screen or shield the outer electrons from the nuclear charge.