Question

(a) How many elements exist as diatomic gases at room temperature and pressure. (b) What type of elements tend to form cations when ionized? (c) Provide the name(s) for the metalloids that have symbols not based on English names. (d) What is t common charge for ions of the chalogens? (e) True or false: Fluorine gas is the least massive noble gas. () How many electrons does a stannous ion have? (g) True or false: A chlorine-35 atom has an average mass of 35.453 amu.

Answer 1

A) There are only 5 elements which exist as diatomic gases at room temperature and pressure, namely - Hydrogen (H2), Nitrogen (N2), Oxygen (O2), Fluorine (F2) and Chlorine (Cl2).

B) Generally elements which are metallic in nature and those which attain stable electronic configuration by losing electrons forms cations when ionized.

C) Antimony (Sb) is the only metalliod which have symbol not based on English names.

D) -2 is the most common charge for ions of the chalcogens as they have 6 electrons in their valance shell and by gaining two electrons they have the configuration of an inert gas which is more stable.

E) False because helium (He) is the least massive Nobel gas.

F) Stannous (Sn) have a total of 50 electrons. In case of Stannous ion (Sn+2) there will be deficiency of two electrons. So in Stannous ion there are 48 electrons.

G) True. Because Chlorine consists of two major isotopes, one with 18 neutrons (mass number 35 & 75.77 percent of natural chlorine atoms) and one with 20 neutrons (mass number 37 & 24.23 percent of natural chlorine atoms).

Average atomic mass of chlorine = (0.7577*35 amu) + (0.2423*37 amu) = 35.48 amu