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Identify the element described: "I am a metal that conducts electricity well, never found alone in nature, and usually gives up one valence electron. I have a one-letter symbol."

a) Hydrogen
b) Oxygen
c) Gold
d) Helium

User Gernot
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

Gold (c) is the best fit from the provided options as it is a metal with a one-letter symbol, even though it does not exactly match the description of typically giving up one valence electron.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question is asking to identify an element that has specific properties. From the description provided, we are looking for a metal that conducts electricity well, is not found alone in nature, typically gives up one valence electron, and has a one-letter symbol. Considering the options provided:

  • Hydrogen (a) is not a metal.
  • Oxygen (b) is not a metal.
  • Gold (c) is a metal, is not found alone in nature, conducts electricity well, but does not typically give up one valence electron.
  • Helium (d) is a noble gas, not a metal.

Since none of the choices exactly match the description, there isn't a perfect match. However, the closest match is gold (c), although it typically gives up one to three valence electrons. If we had to choose one from the options based on having a one-letter symbol and being a metal, gold (c) would be the best fit.

User Ketsia
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