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Which of the following is more electropositive?

A) Li²⁺⁺
B) Ca²⁺⁺
C) Al³⁺⁺
D) Cl⁻

User Fruny
by
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1 Answer

3 votes

Final answer:

Calcium (Ca²⁺⁺) is the most electropositive among the given choices because the electropositive character generally increases down a group, and it is higher in metals than in nonmetals like chlorine. The correct option is B.

Step-by-step explanation:

The electropositive character of an atom is its ability to donate electrons. Among the given choices Li²⁺⁺, Ca²⁺⁺, Al³⁺⁺, and Cl⁻, calcium (Ca²⁺⁺) is the most electropositive. The electropositive character increases as we move down a group in the periodic table.

Lithium (Li), being in the same group as calcium but higher up, is less electropositive than calcium. Aluminum (Al³⁺⁺), although it has a higher charge, is less electropositive because it belongs to a group that is to the right of calcium's.

Chloride (Cl⁻), which is an anion, is not electropositive at all; it is electronegative, as it tends to accept electrons rather than donate them. The correct option is B.

User Mohammed Idris
by
7.8k points
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