An element X reacts with oxygen to form \(\mathrm{XO}_{2}\) and with chlorine to form \(\mathrm{XCl}_{4} . \mathrm{XO}_{2}\) is a white solid that melts at high temperatures (above \(1000^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) ). Under usual conditions, \(\mathrm{XCl}_{4}\) is a colorless liquid with a boiling point of $58^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$. (a) \(\mathrm{XCl}_{4}\) reacts with water to form \(\mathrm{XO}_{2}\) and another product. What is the likely identity of the other product? (b) Do you think that element \(\mathrm{X}\) is a metal, nonmetal, or metalloid? (c) By using a sourcebook such as the CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, try to determine the identity of element X.

The given information is that XCl₄ reacts with water to form XO₂ and another product. In general, when a compound with a halogen (such as chlorine) reacts with water, one of the products is a hydrogen halide. Therefore, we can write the reaction as follows: \(XCl_{4} + H_{2}O \longrightarrow XO_{2} + 4H^{+} + 4Cl^{-}\) The other product formed is hydrochloric acid (HCl). The balanced equation for the reaction is: \(XCl_{4} + 4H_{2}O \longrightarrow XO_{2} + 4HCl\)

We know that XO₂ is a white solid with a high melting point and XCl₄ is a colorless liquid with a boiling point of 58°C. Based on these properties, we can deduce the following: - XO₂ has a high melting point, which is indicative of a compound with strong ionic or covalent bonding. High melting points are usually observed in ionic compounds of metals and nonmetals or covalent compounds of nonmetals. - XCl₄ is a liquid at room temperature, which implies that it has relatively weak intermolecular forces, consistent with covalent bonds. This suggests that X is a nonmetal or a metalloid. Considering the properties of XO₂ and XCl₄ and the fact that X has a valence of +4, we can conclude that element X is likely a nonmetal or a metalloid.

Referring to a sourcebook such as the CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, we can find elements that tend to form compounds with a +4 valence state and examine their properties. Possible candidates include: - Tin (Sn): Forms SnO₂ and SnCl₄; however, Sn is a metal, and we deduced that X is likely a nonmetal or metalloid. - Silicon (Si): Forms SiO₂ and SiCl₄. Silicon is a metalloid and has properties consistent with the unknown element X. Based on this information, the identity of element X is likely Silicon (Si).