To determine which elements are most similar to phosphorus and which are least similar to phosphorus based on the groups they belong to in the periodic table, let's go through the elements provided: calcium, sulfur, nitrogen, and oxygen, and their respective groups in the periodic table.
1. Phosphorus (P) is located in group 5A.
2. Calcium (Ca) is located in group 2A.
3. Sulfur (S) is located in group 6A.
4. Nitrogen (N) is located in group 5A.
5. Oxygen (O) is located in group 6A.
Since we're comparing the similarities and differences based on their group positioning on the periodic table:
- Elements in the same group as phosphorus (5A) would have similar chemical properties to phosphorus.
- Elements in different groups would be less similar to phosphorus.
Step-by-Step Solution:
### Most Similar to Phosphorus
1. Phosphorus (P) is in group 5A.
2. Identify other elements in group 5A:
- Nitrogen (N) is in group 5A.
3. Therefore, the elements most similar to phosphorus are those in the same group:
- Nitrogen (N)
- Phosphorus (P)
### Least Similar to Phosphorus
1. Phosphorus (P) is in group 5A.
2. Identify elements not in group 5A:
- Calcium (Ca) is in group 2A.
- Sulfur (S) is in group 6A.
- Oxygen (O) is in group 6A.
3. Therefore, the elements least similar to phosphorus are those not in the same group:
- Calcium (Ca)
- Sulfur (S)
- Oxygen (O)
### Summary in Table Form
[tex]\[
\begin{array}{|l|l|l|l|l|}
\cline { 2 - 6 } \multicolumn{1}{c|}{} & \text{calcium} & \text{sulfur} & \text{nitrogen} & \text{oxygen} \\
\hline \text{most similar to phosphorus} & & & \text{nitrogen} & \\
\hline \text{least similar to phosphorus} & \text{calcium} & \text{sulfur} & & \text{oxygen} \\
\hline
\end{array}
\][/tex]
