Question

What is the valence electron configuration of Group $\mathbf{\text{6A}}$elements? What are some property differences between oxygen and polonium?

Short answer

The valence electron configuration of Group $6A$elements is${\text{ns}}^{\text{2}}{\text{np}}^{\text{4}}$ .

The differences between oxygen and polonium are –

• Oxygen is a non-metal and Polonium is a metal.
• Oxygen is more electronegative than Polonium.
• Polonium compound are formed in labs whereas oxygen can be found in natural compounds.

Step-by-step solution

Concept Introduction

Electrons in an atom's outermost shell are known as valence electrons. The arrangement of electrons around the nucleus of an atom is known as electron configuration.

Electronic Configuration of Group 6A

The group electron configuration of${\text{ns}}^{\text{2}}{\text{np}}^{\text{4}}$ suggests a group maximum oxidation number of$+6$ .

All the members of Group$6A$other than oxygen are solids under normal conditions and, as we have seen previously, ametallic character generally increases down the group.

Oxygen, sulphur, and selenium are nonmetals, tellurium is a metalloid, and polonium is a metal.

Allotropy and polymorphism are important features of Group$6A$and sulphur occurs in more natural allotropes andpolymorphs than any other element.

Therefore, the electronic configuration is${\text{ns}}^{\text{2}}{\text{np}}^{\text{4}}$ .

Difference between oxygen and polonium

In addition to its distinctive physical properties, oxygen is significantly different chemically from the other members of thegroup. It is the second most electronegative element in the periodic table and significantly more electronegative thanother elements in Group$6A$.

The electrical conductivities increase steadily down Group$6A$as bonding changes from individual molecules (insulators)to metalloid networks (semiconductors) to a metallic solid (conductor).

Polonium is a very rare, radioactive metal.There are many different isotopes of polonium and all of the isotopes are radioactive.It dissolves easily into dilute acids. Polonium does not exist in nature in compounds, but it can form synthetic compoundsin the laboratory.

Therefore, the differences are nonmetal-metal, occurrence in natural compound and electronegativity.