Q. 4.115 - An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

Question

Give the symbol of the element that has the

a. smallest atomic size in Group $6A \left(16\right)$

b. smallest atomic size in Period $3$

c. highest ionization energy in Group $5A \left(15\right)$

d. lowest ionization energy in Period $3$

e. most metallic character in Group $2A\left(2\right)$.

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

a. The symbol of the element is $O$.

b. The symbol of the element is $Ar$.

c. The symbol of the element is $N$.

d. The symbol of the element is $Na$.

e. The symbol of the element is $Ra$.

Part (a) Step 1: Given Information

We need to find the element having the smallest atomic size in Group $6A\left(16\right)$.

Part (a) Step 2: Explanation

According to the modern periodic table, the size of atom increases when moving down to the group, the topmost has the smallest size. So, in Group $6A\left(16\right)$, Oxygen has the smallest size and the symbol is $O$.

Part (b) Step 1: Given Information

We need to find the element having the smallest atomic size in Period $3$.

Part (b) Step 2: Explanation

According to the modern periodic table, the size of an atom decreases while moving left to right in a Period, so the rightmost atom will have the smallest size.

Hence in Period $3$, Argon is the smallest size atom with the atomic symbol $Ar$.

Part (c) Step 1: Given Information

We need to find the element having the highest ionization energy in Group $5A\left(15\right)$.

Part (c) Step 2: Explanation

According to the modern periodic table, Nitrogen atom has the highest ionization energy in Group $5A\left(15\right)$ with the atomic symbol $N$.

Part (d) Step 1: Given Information

We need to find the element having the lowest ionization energy in Period $3$.

Part (d) Step 2: Explanation

According to the modern periodic table, the ionization energy of the atom increases when moving left to right in a period, so the leftmost atom has the lowest ionization energy.

Hence, Sodium has the lowest ionization energy in Period $3$ with symbol $Na$.

Part (e) Step 1: Given Information

We need to find the element having the most metallic character in Group $2A\left(2\right)$.

Part (e) Step 2: Explanation

According to the modern periodic table, the metallic character of the atom increases when moving down to the group. So, the lowermost atom has the most metallic character.

Hence, Radon has the most metallic character in Group $2A$ with the symbol $Ra$.