Is the red element on the following periodic table likely to be a gas, a liquid, or a solid?

Key Concepts

States of Matter

Matter exists in three primary states: solid, liquid, and gas. Solids have a fixed shape and volume, liquids have a definite volume but take the shape of their container, and gases have neither fixed shape nor volume, expanding to fill their container. The state of an element at room temperature is often indicated on the periodic table.

Periodic Table Trends

The periodic table organizes elements based on their atomic number and properties. Elements are categorized into groups and periods, with trends in properties such as electronegativity, ionization energy, and phase at room temperature. Generally, nonmetals, found on the right side of the table, are more likely to be gases or liquids, while metals, on the left, are typically solids.

Element Classification

Elements are classified as metals, nonmetals, or metalloids based on their physical and chemical properties. Metals are usually solid at room temperature, conductive, and malleable, while nonmetals can be gases or liquids and are poor conductors. Understanding the classification helps predict the state of an element, especially when highlighted in a specific color on the periodic table.