(a) X and Y belong to the same period in the Periodic Table is a group I element while Y belongs to group VII. State which of the elements would (i) be a go...

Assessment: WAEC SSCE - Chemistry - 1993 (Essay) Subject: Chemistry

Question 1 Report

(a) X and Y belong to the same period in the Periodic Table is a group I element while Y belongs to group VII. State which of the elements would

(i) be a good oxidizing agent

(ii) have the smaller atomic volume

(iii)  have the higher ionization potential

(b) Explain your answer in (a)(i) above.

Answer Details

X is a Group I element (a metal, e.g. sodium) and Y is a Group VII element (a non-metal, e.g. chlorine); both are in the same period.

(a)

  • (i) A good oxidizing agent: Y (the Group VII element).
  • (ii) Smaller atomic volume / smaller atomic radius: Y (across a period the nuclear charge rises and the atom contracts).
  • (iii) Higher ionization potential (ionization energy): Y.

(b) Explanation for (a)(i): Y (Group VII) has 7 electrons in its outermost shell and needs to gain only one electron to attain a stable octet. It therefore has a strong tendency to accept (gain) electrons from other species; a species that gains electrons is an oxidizing agent. X (Group I) instead loses its single valence electron easily and acts as a reducing agent. Hence Y is the good oxidizing agent.

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