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I am one of the elements. I am a soft metal and you can cut me with a knife, but

ID: 557382 • Letter: I

Question

I am one of the elements. I am a soft metal and you can cut me with a knife, but be careful because I am highly reactive. I have the largest atomic radius of any element in my period. Within my group, I have the largest atomic radius of the elements that have no d -orbitals filled. Who am I? I am one of the elements. I have a high electron affinity and my atomic number is N. The element with atomic number N-1 has a lower ionization energy and a lower electron affinity. The element with atomic number N + 1 has a higher ionization energy and basically no electron affinity (high negative). I am toxic in my elemental state, but am commonly found in my nontoxic ionic state. Within my group, I have the second highest ionization energy. Who am I?

Explanation / Answer

a) The answer is Sodium (Na).

All alkali metals show all the given propertes. However, sodium has the largest atomic radius that have no d-orbitals.

b) The answer is Fluorine (F).

The halogen series show the same properties as mentioned. However, it is fluorine which has the second highest ionization energy.