Question

1. based on the concept of periodic trends, answer the following questions for these atoms: li, be, mg, na. be able to defend your answers.

a. which element has the lowest electronegativity?________________________
b. which element has the least metallic character?________________________
c. which element is the largest atom?________________________

Explanation:

• a. Electronegativity trend: Electronegativity increases across a period (left to right) and decreases down a group. Among \(Li\), \(Be\), \(Mg\), \(Na\), \(Na\) is the most electropositive (lowest electronegativity). It is in Group 1 (more metallic, lower electronegativity compared to elements to its right in the periodic table).
• b. Metallic character trend: Metallic character decreases across a period (left - right) and increases down a group. \(Be\) has the least metallic character as it is to the right of \(Li\) in Period 2 and above \(Mg\) in Group 2.
• c. Atomic size trend: Atomic size increases down a group and decreases across a period. \(Na\) is larger than \(Li\) (down Group 1) and larger than \(Mg\) (as \(Na\) is in Group 1, \(Mg\) in Group 2 of the same period). \(Be\) is smaller than \(Li\) (across Period 2).

Answer:

a. \(Na\)
b. \(Be\)
c. \(Na\)