Based on the information in the table, which two elements are most likely in the same group, and why?

Facts about Four Elements
\begin{tabular}{|l|l|l|l|l|}
\hline \multicolumn{1}{|c|}{ Element } & \begin{tabular}{l}
Atomic mass \\
(amu)
\end{tabular} & \begin{tabular}{l}
Total \\
electrons
\end{tabular} & \begin{tabular}{l}
Valence \\
electrons
\end{tabular} & Year isolated \\
\hline Bismuth (Bi) & 209 & 83 & 5 & 1753 \\
\hline Nitrogen (N) & 14 & 7 & 5 & 1772 \\
\hline Oxygen (O) & 16 & 8 & 6 & 1772 \\
\hline Sodium (Na) & 23 & 11 & 1 & 1807 \\
\hline Thallium (Tl) & 204 & 81 & 3 & 1861 \\
\hline
\end{tabular}

A. Bismuth and thallium, because their atomic masses are very similar
B. Nitrogen and oxygen, because they were both first isolated in the same year
C. Sodium and thallium, because their names both end in the same suffix: -ium
D. Bismuth and nitrogen, because they have the same number of valence electrons



Answer :

When determining if two elements are in the same group in the periodic table, we primarily consider the number of valence electrons. Elements in the same group have the same number of valence electrons, which imparts similar chemical properties.

Let's examine the number of valence electrons for each element mentioned in the table:

- Bismuth (Bi) has 5 valence electrons.
- Nitrogen (N) has 5 valence electrons.
- Oxygen (O) has 6 valence electrons.
- Sodium (Na) has 1 valence electron.
- Thallium (II) has 3 valence electrons.

According to the periodic table, elements with the same number of valence electrons are generally placed in the same group. Here, we see that both Bismuth and Nitrogen have 5 valence electrons each.

Thus, the elements that are most likely in the same group based on the number of valence electrons are Bismuth and Nitrogen. The correct reasoning is "bismuth and nitrogen, because they have the same number of valence electrons."