Question

Which metal will only be found in nature combined with other elements?

1. gold 2. silver 3. platinum 4. lithium

Thanks,
Morgan

Answer 1

Those metals that are very reactive would be expected to occur as compounds, not as elements. Those elements that are least reactive would be expected to occur in nature in the elemental state. If you don't know which metals are more (or less) reactive, consult a table of activities. Elements are listed in decreasing order of activity. Here is a table on the web.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reactivity_series