Question

Decide which element probably forms a compound with chlorine that has a chemical formula most and least similar to the chemical formula of the compound formed by chlorine and barium.

Comparing chemical formula of compound formed with chlorine:
rubidium beryllium phosphorus potassium
most similar to barium
least similar to barium

Answer 1

phosphorus - least similar to barium

beryllium - most similar to barium

Step-by-step explanation:

The formula of the chloride formed between barium and chlorine is BaCl2.

Barium is a metallic element and has the valency of +2. Beryllium is also a group two metal with a valency of +2. Hence the compound formed between beryllium and chlorine is BeCl2

Phosphorus is a nonmetal and forms a completely different chloride from BaCl2. The chloride of phosphorus is PCl5 and PCl3. These are least similar to BaCl2