Multiple Choice
Which pair of elements has the most similar chemical properties?
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2. Atoms & Elements
Periodic Table: Group Names
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Which of the following elements would be chemically similar to selenium (Se)?
A
Phosphorus (P)
B
Magnesium (Mg)
C
Sulfur (S)
D
Bromine (Br)
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the position of selenium (Se) in the periodic table. Selenium is in group 16 (the chalcogens) 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.
Look for elements among the options that are in group 16, like selenium. Sulfur (S) is in group 16 and period 3, so it shares the same group as selenium.
Phosphorus (P) is in group 15, Magnesium (Mg) is in group 2, and Bromine (Br) is in group 17, so they have different valence electron configurations and chemical properties compared to selenium.
Conclude that sulfur (S) is chemically similar to selenium (Se) because they are in the same group and have similar valence electron arrangements.
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