Multiple Choice
To which group of the periodic table does an element with the electron configuration 1s2 2s2 2p1 belong?
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2. Atoms & Elements
Periodic Table: Group Names
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Which of the following elements is expected to have chemical properties most similar to sulfur?
A
Selenium
B
Chlorine
C
Phosphorus
D
Oxygen
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the position of sulfur in the periodic table. Sulfur (S) is in group 16 (the chalcogens) and period 3.
Recall that elements in the same group (vertical column) of the periodic table have similar chemical properties because they have the same number of valence electrons.
Look at the options and determine which elements are in group 16: Selenium (Se) is in group 16, period 4; Oxygen (O) is also in group 16, period 2.
Phosphorus (P) is in group 15 and period 3, and Chlorine (Cl) is in group 17 and period 3, so their chemical properties differ more from sulfur compared to elements in group 16.
Conclude that Selenium, being directly below sulfur in the same group, will have chemical properties most similar to sulfur due to similar valence electron configurations.
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