Science, Tech, Math › Science Periodic Trend Definition Share Flipboard Email Print Clive Streeter / Getty Images Science Chemistry Chemical Laws Basics Molecules Periodic Table Projects & Experiments Scientific Method Biochemistry Physical Chemistry Medical Chemistry Chemistry In Everyday Life Famous Chemists Activities for Kids Abbreviations & Acronyms Biology Physics Geology Astronomy Weather & Climate By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Chemistry Expert Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. our editorial process Facebook Facebook Twitter Twitter Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Updated February 03, 2019 Periodic Trend Definition A periodic trend is a regular variation the properties of an element with increasing atomic number. A periodic trend is attributed to regular variations in the atomic structure of each element. Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Periodic Trend Definition." ThoughtCo, Aug. 27, 2020, thoughtco.com/definition-of-periodic-trend-605901. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2020, August 27). Periodic Trend Definition. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-periodic-trend-605901 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Periodic Trend Definition." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-periodic-trend-605901 (accessed April 15, 2021). copy citation