Question

Which of the following elements would you expect to have properties most similar to those of chlorine (Cl)? (a) Cu (b)F (c) Na (d) Cr (e) S

Answer 1

Answer: Option (b) is the correct answer.

Step-by-step explanation:

When elements are present in a group then it means that each element of that group contains same number of valence electrons.

Therefore, because of this they tend to show similar chemical properties.

Chlorine is a halogen atom and its atomic number is 17. Hence, its electronic distribution is 2, 8, 7. So, there are 7 valence electrons in it.

Atomic number of Cu is 29 and its electronic configuration is
`[Ar]4s^(1)3d^(10)`. Hence, there is only one valence electron in a Cu atom.

Fluorine (F) is also an halogen atom whose atomic number is 9. Its electronic distribution is 2, 7. Hence, it also contains 7 valence electrons.

Therefore, it will show chemical properties similar to Cl atom.

Electronic configuration of Cr is
`[Ar]4s^(1)3d^(5)`. So, there is only one valence electron present in a Cr atom.

Atomic number of sulfur (S) is 16 and its electronic distribution is 2, 8, 6. So, there are only 6 valence electrons in it.

Thus, we can conclude that out of the given options fluorine (F) element would you expect to have properties most similar to those of chlorine (Cl).