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Ch.7 - Periodic Properties of the Elements
Chapter 7, Problem 56

You read the following statement about two elements X and Y: One of the elements is a good conductor of electricity, and the other is a semiconductor. Experiments show that the first ionization energy of X is twice as great as that of Y. Which element has the greater metallic character?

Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the properties of metals and semiconductors: Metals are typically good conductors of electricity, while semiconductors have intermediate conductivity that can be modified under certain conditions.
Understand the relationship between ionization energy and metallic character: Elements with lower ionization energies tend to lose electrons more easily, which is a characteristic of metals. Therefore, an element with a lower ionization energy is likely to have greater metallic character.
Analyze the given information: Element X has a first ionization energy that is twice as great as that of element Y. This means that element X requires more energy to remove an electron compared to element Y.
Determine the metallic character based on ionization energy: Since element Y has a lower ionization energy, it is more likely to lose electrons easily, indicating that it has a greater metallic character compared to element X.
Conclude which element has the greater metallic character: Based on the analysis, element Y, with the lower ionization energy, has the greater metallic character.
Related Practice
Open Question
Consider the first ionization energy of neon and the electron affinity of fluorine. (b) These two quantities have opposite signs. Which will be positive, and which will be negative? (c) Would you expect the magnitudes of these two quantities to be equal? If not, which one would you expect to be larger?
Textbook Question
Consider the following equation: Al3+1g2 + e-¡Al2+1g2 Which of the following statements are true? (i) The energy change for this process is the second electron affinity of Al atom since Al2+1g2 is formed. (ii) The energy change for this process is the negative of the third ionization energy of the Al atom. (iii) The energy change for this process is the electron affinity of the Al2+ ion.
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Open Question
(a) Does metallic character increase, decrease, or remain unchanged as one goes from left to right across a row of the periodic table? (b) Does metallic character increase, decrease, or remain unchanged as one goes down a column of the periodic table?
Open Question
Discussing this chapter, a classmate says, “An element that commonly forms a cation is a metal.” Do you agree or disagree?
Textbook Question

Discussing this chapter, a classmate says, 'Since elements that form cations are metals and elements that form anions are nonmetals, elements that do not form ions are metalloids.' Do you agree or disagree?

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Textbook Question

Predict whether each of the following oxides is ionic or molecular: SnO2, Al2O3, CO2, Li2O, Fe2O3, H2O.

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