Question

A student tested a sample of carbon (C) by combining it with water. There was no reaction between the carbon and water. The student concluded that carbon must be a group 18 element, since it was unreactive. State whether you agree with the student's reasoning, and explain why or why not.

Answer 1

I wouldn't agree with the student's reasoning. Not every element that doesn't react with water is unreactive. If Carbon were exposed to Hydrogen, it would form Hydrocarbons. In order to conclude it to be a group 18 element, it would have to be unreactive with any compound, not just water.

Answer 2

Answer: Student's reasoning is wrong.

Step-by-step explanation:

Carbon is a second period element and its electronic configuration is
`1s^(2)2s^(2)2p^(4)`.

Since, there is no d-orbital present in a carbon atom. Hence, when it is dissolve in water then it becomes unable to accommodate the lone pair donated by donor oxygen atom of water.

As a result, there occurs no reaction when carbon is dissolved in water.

Hence, we can conclude that we do not agree with the student's reasoning.