Question

For an atom with five valence electrons and a negative three charge, which element is the smallest in its family?

a) Nitrogen
b) Oxygen
c) Phosphorus
d) Sulfur

Answer 1

Nitrogen is the smallest element in its family.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine which element is the smallest in its family, we need to consider the number of valence electrons and the charge.

An atom with five valence electrons and a negative three charge means that it has gained three additional electrons, making the total number of electrons eight, which is the electron configuration of a noble gas.

Based on this information, we can conclude that the element with five valence electrons and a negative three charge is Nitrogen (option a).