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Chapter 8: Problem 66

Based on your knowledge of the chemistry of the alkali metals, predict some of the chemical properties of francium, the last member of the group.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Francium, as an alkali metal, is predicted to be highly reactive due to its single valence electron. It will likely form a \(Fr^{+}\) ion. Francium may also react with water, oxygen, and halogens.

Step by step solution

01

General Properties of Alkali Metals

Understand that alkali metals, which are in Group 1 of the periodic table, are characterized by their softness and silvery appearance. They are highly reactive due to their single valence electron which they tend to lose in reactions to form +1 ions.
02

Trend in Reactivity of Alkali Metals

Realize that the reactivity of alkali metals increases from top to bottom in the periodic table. This means that as we proceed down the group, the reactivity increases. Francium, being at the bottom, would be highly reactive.
03

Predicting Francium's Reactivity

Based on the aforementioned characteristics, it can be predicted that francium, like other group 1 elements, will be highly reactive due to its single valence electron and would readily lose this electron to form a \(Fr^{+}\) ion.
04

Francium's Reaction with Other Substances

Francium can be expected to react vigorously with non-metals such as oxygen and halogens, and would react with water in a similar way as other alkali metals, and produce hydrogen gas and an alkali.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

A student is given samples of three elements, \(X, Y\) and \(Z\), which could be an alkali metal, a member of Group \(4 \mathrm{~A},\) and a member of Group \(5 \mathrm{~A}\). She makes the following observations: Element X has a metallic luster and conducts electricity. It reacts slowly with hydrochloric acid to produce hydrogen gas. Element \(Y\) is a light-yellow solid that does not conduct electricity. Element \(Z\) has a metallic luster and conducts electricity. When exposed to air, it slowly forms a white powder. A solution of the white powder in water is basic. What can you conclude about the elements from these observations?

In the periodic table, the element hydrogen is sometimes grouped with the alkali metals (as in this book) and sometimes with the halogens. Explain why hydrogen can resemble the Group \(1 \mathrm{~A}\) and the Group 7A elements.

Arrange these species in isoelectronic pairs: \(\mathrm{O}^{+}, \mathrm{Ar},\) \(\mathrm{S}^{2-}, \mathrm{Ne}, \mathrm{Zn}, \mathrm{Cs}^{+}, \mathrm{N}^{3-}, \mathrm{As}^{3+}, \mathrm{N}, \mathrm{Xe}\) In which of these are the species written in decrease.

Group these electron configurations in pairs that would represent similar chemical properties of their atoms: (a) \(1 s^{2} 2 s^{2} 2 p^{6} 3 s^{2}\) (b) \(1 s^{2} 2 s^{2} 2 p^{3}\) (c) \(1 s^{2} 2 s^{2} 2 p^{6} 3 s^{2} 3 p^{6} 4 s^{2} 3 d^{10} 4 p^{6}\) (d) \(1 s^{2} 2 s^{2}\) (e) \(1 s^{2} 2 s^{2} 2 p^{6}\) (f) \(1 s^{2} 2 s^{2} 2 p^{6} 3 s^{2} 3 p^{3}\)

With reference to the periodic table, name (a) a halogen element in the fourth period, (b) an element \(\operatorname{sim}\) ilar to phosphorus in chemical properties, (c) the most reactive metal in the fifth period, \((\) d) an element that has an atomic number smaller than 20 and is similar to strontium.
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