On the periodic table, lithium and beryllium are in different groups. Which statement describes why the two elements are in different groups?(1 point) Responses They have different atomic numbers. They have different atomic numbers. They have a different number of electrons in their outer shells. They have a different number of electrons in their outer shells. They are different colors. They are different colors. They have a different number of electron shells. They have a different number of electron shells.
They have a different number of electrons in their outer shells.
The statement that describes why lithium and beryllium are in different groups on the periodic table is: They have a different number of electrons in their outer shells.
The correct statement is: They have a different number of electrons in their outer shells.
To determine why lithium and beryllium are in different groups on the periodic table, we need to understand the organization of the table. The periodic table is arranged based on the atomic structure of elements.
Elements in the same group have similar chemical properties because they have the same number of electrons in their outermost energy level, also known as the valence shell. This outermost shell determines an element's reactivity and how it interacts with other elements.
Lithium is in group 1, also known as the alkali metals group, while beryllium is in group 2, known as the alkaline earth metals group. The alkali metals have one electron in their outer shell, while the alkaline earth metals have two electrons in their outer shell.
Since lithium and beryllium have a different number of electrons in their outer shells, it means they have different chemical properties and therefore belong to different groups on the periodic table.