Question

which of the following statements best describes the elements with similar chemical properties?
sodium (na) and magnesium (mg) are most similar because they are in the same period.
sodium (na) and potassium (k) are most similar because they are in the same group.
fluorine (f) and iodine (i) are not closely related because one is a metal and the other a nonmetal.
copper (cu) and zinc (zn) are most similar because they are in the same group.

Explanation:

• Elements in the same group (vertical column) of the periodic table have similar chemical properties.
• Sodium (Na) and potassium (K) are both in Group 1 (alkali metals), so they have similar chemical properties.
• Sodium (Na) and magnesium (Mg) are in the same period (horizontal row) but different groups, so they don't have similar chemical properties.
• Fluorine (F) is a non - metal and iodine (I) is also a non - metal, but they are not in the same group.
• Copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) are in the same period but different groups.

Answer:

Sodium (Na) and potassium (K) are most similar because they are in the same group.