Question

An element A has an atomic number of 6. Another element B has 17 electrons in its one neutral atom.

(a) In which groups of the periodic table would you expect to find these elements?
(b) what type of bond is formed between A and B?
(c) Suggest a formula of the compound formed between A and B.

Answer 1

(a) Element A has an atomic number of 6, so its electronic configuration is 2,4 (having 4 valence electrons).
Therefore, the group number for element A = valence shell + 10
                                                           = 4+10 =14.
Hence, the group number for element A is 14.

Element B has 17 electrons in its neutral atom. Its electronic configuration is 2,8,7.
Therefore, the group number of element B = valence shell + 10
                                                      = 7 + 10 = 17.
Hence, the group number for element B is 17.

(b) When two non-metals A and B combine, a covalent bond is formed, since group 14 elements and group 17 elements are all non-metallic in nature.

(c) When one atom of A combines with four atoms of B, a covalent compound with the formula AB₄ is formed. This is because the element A has a valency of 4 and element B has a valency of 1.