Question

The position of certain elements in the Modern Periodic Table is shown below:

Group → Period ↓	1	2	3 to 12	13	14	15	16	17	18
1	G								H
2	A			I			B		C
3		D			E				F

Using the above table answer the following questions giving reasons in each case:

1. Which element will form only covalent compounds?
2. Which element is a non-metal with valency 2?
3. Which element is a metal with valency 2?
4. Out of H, C, and F which has the largest atomic size?
5. To which family does H, C, and F belong?

Answer 1

1. Element E is Silicon. It will form a covalent bond only. The outermost orbit of silicon has four electrons and it needs four more electrons to become stable.
2. Non-metal with valency 2 is B, which is Oxygen. Oxygen has a high electronegativity, due to which it has a higher tendency to attract electrons rather than donating them.
3. Element D is a metal with valency 2. Element D is magnesium, due to its low electronegativity it has a very high tendency to donate electrons.
4. Element F has the largest atomic size. According to the electronic configuration of element F which is argon, it occupies 3 energy shells compared to elements H and C which occupies one and two energy shells and due to this its atomic radius is the largest.
5. Elements H, C, and F belong to Group number 18, which means according to their outer electronic configuration their octet is complete and thus these elements are stable. They have a very low tendency to react with other elements. Group 18 elements belong to the noble gas family.