can someone tell me which of the following elements are expected to be the most easily reduced: Ca, Sr, P, or Cl?
thanks
Reduction is the gain of electrons. In general, electrons are more easily gained by elements from left to right in the periodic table and from bottom to top. So that means ________ is most easily reduced.
To determine which of the given elements (Ca, Sr, P, or Cl) is most easily reduced, we need to analyze their positions in the periodic table.
First, let's compare symbol by symbol:
- Calcium (Ca) belongs to Group 2 of the periodic table.
- Strontium (Sr) also belongs to Group 2.
- Phosphorus (P) belongs to Group 15.
- Chlorine (Cl) belongs to Group 17.
Now, let's analyze their positions in terms of period:
- Calcium and strontium are in the fourth period.
- Phosphorus is in the third period.
- Chlorine is in the second period.
From this information, we can conclude that chlorine (Cl) is closest to the top-right of the periodic table among the given elements. Since elements at the top-right are more easily reduced, we can infer that chlorine (Cl) is expected to be the most easily reduced element among the given options (Ca, Sr, P, or Cl).