Give the symbol of the element that has the
e. most metallic character in Group 2A (2)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the elements in Group 2A (2) of the periodic table. These are the alkaline earth metals: beryllium (Be), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), strontium (Sr), barium (Ba), and radium (Ra).
2. Recall that metallic character increases as you move down a group in the periodic table. This is because atoms become larger, and the outermost electrons are farther from the nucleus, making them easier to lose.
3. Determine the element at the bottom of Group 2A (2), as it will have the most metallic character due to its position in the group.
4. The element with the most metallic character in Group 2A (2) is radium (Ra), as it is the last element in this group.
5. Write the symbol for radium, which is 'Ra'.

Key Concepts

Group 2A Elements

Group 2A, also known as the alkaline earth metals, includes elements like beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, and radium. These elements are characterized by having two electrons in their outermost shell, which they readily lose to form cations with a +2 charge. Understanding the properties of these elements is crucial for determining their metallic character.

Metallic Character

Metallic character refers to the tendency of an element to lose electrons and form positive ions, which is a defining trait of metals. This character increases down a group in the periodic table due to the increasing atomic size and decreasing ionization energy. Thus, elements lower in Group 2A exhibit more metallic properties compared to those higher up.

Periodic Trends

Periodic trends are patterns observed in the properties of elements across the periodic table, including atomic radius, electronegativity, and metallic character. As you move down a group, such as Group 2A, the metallic character increases due to the larger atomic size and lower ionization energies. Recognizing these trends is essential for predicting the behavior of elements in chemical reactions.