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Multiple Choice
Which of the following elements would have chemical properties most similar to potassium (K)?
A
Magnesium (Mg)
B
Sodium (Na)
C
Calcium (Ca)
D
Aluminum (Al)
Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the position of potassium (K) on the periodic table. Potassium is in Group 1 (alkali metals) and Period 4.
Recall that elements in the same group (vertical column) of the periodic table have similar chemical properties because they have the same number of valence electrons.
Check the given elements and determine their groups: Magnesium (Mg) is in Group 2, Sodium (Na) is in Group 1, Calcium (Ca) is in Group 2, and Aluminum (Al) is in Group 13.
Since Sodium (Na) is in the same group as Potassium (K), it has the same number of valence electrons (1 valence electron), leading to similar chemical behavior.
Conclude that Sodium (Na) would have chemical properties most similar to Potassium (K) because they belong to the same group and share similar valence electron configurations.