marie discovers boxes of elements in a storage room. the boxes do not say which elements they contain, but they do have information about their locations on the periodic table. what kind of information would allow marie to determine which boxes contain the most reactive elements?
marie discovers boxes of elements in a storage room. the boxes do not say which elements they contain, but they do have information about their locations on the periodic table. what kind of information would allow marie to determine which boxes contain the most reactive elements?
Answer: Marie can determine which boxes contain the most reactive elements by looking for information on the periodic table location that indicates higher reactivity. The key information to look for includes:
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Group Number (Vertical Columns): Elements in the same group (column) of the periodic table tend to have similar chemical properties, including reactivity. Elements in Group 1 (alkali metals) and Group 17 (halogens) are typically highly reactive. So, boxes corresponding to these groups may contain highly reactive elements.
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Valence Electrons: The number of valence electrons in an element’s outermost energy level often determines its reactivity. Elements with one or a few valence electrons are generally more reactive. So, boxes with elements having one or a few valence electrons may contain highly reactive elements.
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Metals vs. Non-Metals: In general, non-metals tend to be more reactive than metals. So, boxes containing non-metal elements may contain highly reactive elements.
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Atomic Size: Generally, smaller atoms are more reactive. As you move down a group on the periodic table, the atomic size increases, and reactivity tends to decrease. However, moving across a period (row) from left to right, atomic size decreases, and reactivity often increases. So, information about atomic size and the periodic table location can provide clues about reactivity.
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Electronegativity: High electronegativity values indicate a strong attraction for electrons and can make an element more reactive. Elements with high electronegativity are often found on the right side of the periodic table.
By examining these factors and considering the periodic table locations indicated on the boxes, Marie can make educated guesses about which boxes may contain the most reactive elements. However, it’s important to note that reactivity can vary within a group or period, so additional information or experimentation may be needed for a precise determination.