Final answer:
Selenium (Se) is the element that behaves most similarly to oxygen because it is in the same Group 6A in the periodic table and has the same number of valence electrons.
Step-by-step explanation:
When comparing the elements listed to determine which behaves most similarly to oxygen, it's important to consider their position in the periodic table and their electronic configuration. Among the options given:
- Nitrogen (N) does not behave similarly to oxygen because it is a Group 5A element with five valence electrons, whereas oxygen has six.
- Fluorine (F) is a halogen from Group 7A with seven valence electrons, making its chemical properties quite different from oxygen.
- Hydrogen (H) is unique in its chemical properties and, although it can form some similar compounds to those of alkali metals, its properties differ significantly from oxygen.
- Selenium (Se) is in the same Group 6A as oxygen, giving it a similar distribution of valence electrons and thus similar chemical properties.
Therefore, Selenium (Se) is the element among those listed that behaves most similarly to oxygen, because they both belong to Group 6A of the periodic table and have the same number of valence electrons.