how can someone find out which element is a more chemically active nonmetal from looking at the Periodic Table? What element is a black crystal that hs 4 electrons in its outermost energy level?

The most active non-metals are to the upper right of the periodic table. Look at group 17 (VIIA) which would be fluorine. The black crystal probably is carbon. Look in group 14(IVA).[The most active metal is to the lower left.]

To find out which element is more chemically active as a nonmetal on the Periodic Table, there are a few factors you can consider:

1. Group Number: The groups or columns on the Periodic Table can provide some information about the chemical activity of an element. Generally, the higher the group number, the more chemically active the nonmetal is likely to be. Elements in Group 17 (also known as Group VIIA) are generally highly reactive nonmetals.

2. Electronegativity: Electronegativity is a measure of an element's ability to attract electrons in a chemical bond. Higher electronegativity values indicate greater chemical activity. Elements located on the upper-right side of the Periodic Table tend to have higher electronegativity, making them more chemically active nonmetals.

Regarding the element that is a black crystal and has four electrons in its outermost energy level, we can isolate the criteria.

1. Black crystal: The appearance of the element as a black crystal may indicate that it is a solid at room temperature with a dark color.

2. Four electrons in the outermost energy level: The outermost energy level of an atom is referred to as the valence shell, and the number of electrons in this shell determines the element's chemical properties. An element with four electrons in its outermost energy level belongs to Group 14 (Group IVA) on the Periodic Table.

Based on these criteria, the element that fits both descriptions is carbon (C). Carbon is a nonmetal with a high electronegativity and is known to exhibit a variety of allotropes, including black crystals like graphite and black diamonds. It also has four electrons in its outermost energy level.