Chemistry · Periodic trends in properties of elements: atomic and ionic radii, ionization enthalpy, electron gain enthalpy, valence, oxidation states and chemical reactivity
Hydrogen resembles IV-A elements in what respect?
Hydrogen resembles IV-A elements in what respect?
- A. All are metals.
- B. All are non metals.
- C. All are metalloid.
- D. They have half-filled electronic configuration
Step-by-step solution
Hydrogen has a 1s^1 configuration, which is half-filled in the s orbital. Group IV-A elements (ns^2 np^2) have four valence electrons, which is exactly half of the eight required for an octet, so they are often said to have a half-filled outer shell. Despite the inaccuracy, this is the only option that applies to both hydrogen and all group IV-A elements, as the other options fail for at least one element in the group.