Question

	X	Y
Normal Electronic Configuration	2, 8, 7	2, 8, 2
Nature of Oxide	Dissolves in water and truns blue litmus red.	Very low solubility in water. Dissolves in hydrochloric acid.
Tendency for Oxidising and reducing reactions	Tends to oxidise elements and compound.	Tends to act as a reducing agent.
Electrical and Thermal Conductivity	Very poor electrical conductor. Poor thermal conductivity.	Good electrical conductor. Good thermal conductor.
Tendency to form Alloys and Amalgams	No tendency to form alloys.	Forms alloys.

Using the information above, complete the following:

1. _________ is the metallic element.
2. Metal atoms tend to have a maximum of ________ electrons in the outermost energy level.
3. Non-metallic elements tend to form _________ oxides while metals tend to form _______ oxides.
4. Non-metallic elements tend to be ______ conductors of heat and electricity.
5. Metals tend to _______ electrons and act as ________ agents in their reactions with elements and compounds.

Answer 1

1. Y is the metallic element.
2. Metal atoms tend to have a maximum of 3 electrons in the outermost energy level.
3. Non-metallic elements tend to form acidic oxides while metals tend to form basic oxides.
4. Non-metallic elements tend to be poor conductors of heat and electricity.
5. Metals tend to lose electrons and act as reducing agents in their reactions with elements and compounds.