Write down the electronic configuration of the following elements from the given atomic numbers. Answer the following question with explanation.
4Be, 6C, 8O, 5B, 13A1
Which is the most electropositive element among these?
Answer:
Electronic configuration:
⇒ The atomic number of beryllium = 4
The electronic configuration of 4Be = 2,2
⇒ The atomic number of carbon = 6
The electronic configuration of 6C = 2,4
⇒ The atomic number of oxygen = 8
The electronic configuration of 8O = 2,6
⇒ The atomic number of boron = 5
The electronic configuration of 5B = 2,3
⇒ The atomic number of aluminum = 13
The electronic configuration of 13Al = 2,8,3
Among the given elements, Al has the highest electropositive character.
Explanation:
Electropositivity is the tendency of any metal element to become cation (positively charged) by losing its valence electrons.
⇒ Electropositivity decreases as we move from left to right in a period.
⇒ Electropositivity increases as we move from top to bottom in a group.
⇒ Electropositive character is shown by the metals because they have a tendency to lose electrons.
⇒ Combining all these facts, Al is the most electropositive element.
