How many vertical columns are there in the modern periodic table and what are they called?

Two elements $M$ and $N$ belong to group $I$ and $II$ respectively and are in the same period of the periodic table. How do the following properties of $M$ and $N$ vary:
$(a)$ sizes of their atoms?
$(b)$ their metallic characters?
$(c)$ their valencies in forming oxides?
$(d)$ formulae of their chlorides?

Study the following table in which positions of six elements $A, B, C, D, E$ and $F$ are shown as they are in the modern periodic table:

Group $\to$	$1$	$2$	$13$	$14$	$15$	$16$	$17$	$18$
Period $2$	$A$	-	-	-	$B$	-	-	$C$
Period $3$	-	-	$D$	$E$	-	-	-	$F$

On the basis of the above table,answer the following questions:
$(i)$ Name the element which forms only covalent compounds.
$(ii)$ Name the element which is a metal with valency three.
$(iii)$ Name the element which is a non-metal with valency three.
$(iv)$ Out of $D$ and $E$,which is bigger in size and why?
$(v)$ Write the common name for the family to which the elements $C$ and $F$ belong.

On moving from left to right in a period in the periodic table,the size of the atom.

$(a)$ State the main characteristics of elements on which the modern periodic table is based.
$(b)$ No fixed position can be assigned to hydrogen in the periodic table. Why?

Arrange the following elements in the order of their increasing non-metallic character: $Li, O, C, Be, F$.