Final answer:
The green color in the periodic table often represents non-metals. Elements can be classified according to their position in the periodic table, such as helium being the lightest noble gas, beryllium as the lightest alkaline earth metal, lithium as the lightest alkali metal, and oxygen as the lightest chalcogen. Elements like Se, Mg, and Ge are classified respectively as a nonmetal, metal, and metalloid.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the periodic table, the green color typically indicates the non-metals. For the provided options, the correct choice that green represents is option b) Non-metals. In the periodic table, different colors are used to distinguish between various groups of elements such as metals, non-metals, metalloids, and groups like halogens or noble gases.
To answer the student's question using the periodic table:
- The lightest member of the noble gases is Helium (He).
- The lightest alkaline earth metal is Beryllium (Be).
- The lightest alkali metal is Lithium (Li).
- The lightest chalcogen is Oxygen (O).
Classifying elements based on their position in the periodic table, for example:
- Selenium (Se) is a nonmetal.
- Magnesium (Mg) is a metal.
- Germanium (Ge) is a metalloid.