Question

Name three elements that are likely to react in a similar way to:

a) Sodium, lithium, potassium
b) Chlorine, bromine, iodine
c) Carbon, nitrogen, oxygen
d) Iron, copper, zinc

Answer 1

Elements sodium, lithium, and potassium are likely to react in a similar way, as well as chlorine, bromine, and iodine, and carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen. Iron, copper, and zinc also have similar chemical properties.

Step-by-step explanation:

During the 19th century, chemists discovered many elements and observed that certain sets of elements had similar chemical properties. For example, sodium, lithium, and potassium (Group 1) react in a similar way because they are all shiny, good conductors of heat and electricity, and highly reactive. Chlorine, bromine, and iodine (Group 17) also react in a similar way because they are all nonmetals and form similar compounds with other elements. Similarly, carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen (Group 16) react similarly because they are all nonmetals and can form multiple stable compounds with other elements. Lastly, iron, copper, and zinc (transition metals) have similar properties such as being good conductors of electricity and forming compounds with similar structures.