Question

In a family of elements with two fewer valence electrons than the noble gases, which element is almost twice as heavy as the lightest element in its group?

a) Boron
b) Carbon
c) Silicon
d) Germanium

Answer 1

The element in Group 14 that is almost twice as heavy as the lightest member, Carbon (C), is Germanium (Ge).

Step-by-step explanation:

In a family of elements with two fewer valence electrons than the noble gases, the element that is almost twice as heavy as the lightest element in its group is Germanium (Ge). Looking at the periodic table, Group 14 elements have two fewer valence electrons than the noble gases. Carbon (C) is the lightest member of Group 14 and Germanium (Ge), being below silicon on the periodic table, is significantly heavier. Silicon (Si) also belongs to this group but is not almost double the atomic mass of Carbon (C). Therefore, Germanium (Ge) fits the description provided by the question.

The element that is almost twice as heavy as the lightest element in its group and has two fewer valence electrons than the noble gases is Germanium (d).

Germanium is a metalloid and belongs to Group 14 of the periodic table. It has the atomic number 32 and the electron configuration 4s²4p².

Germanium is heavier than boron, carbon, and silicon, making it the correct answer to the question.