Question

What do you mean by representative elements? Give an example.

Short answer

Answer: Representative elements, or main group elements, are elements found in groups 1, 2, and 13-18 of the periodic table, exhibiting a wide range of chemical and physical properties. An example of a representative element is Sodium (Na), which belongs to group 1 (alkali metals) and is highly reactive, has a single valence electron in its outermost shell, and is a soft, silvery-white metal. Sodium's properties are typical of its group, making it a good example of what to expect from alkali metals.

Step-by-step solution

Definition of Representative Elements

Representative elements, also known as main group elements, are the elements found in groups 1, 2, and 13-18 of the periodic table. These elements exhibit a wide variety of chemical and physical properties, as they include both metals and nonmetals. The reason that they are called representative elements is because their properties tend to be representative of their respective groups.

Example of a Representative Element

Let's take a closer look at an example of a representative element: Sodium (Na). Step 1: Find sodium's position in the periodic table Sodium is found in group 1 (the alkali metals) and period 3 of the periodic table. Step 2: Determine sodium's properties As an alkali metal, sodium has the following properties: - It is highly reactive, especially with water. - It has a single valence electron in its outermost electron shell, which it tends to lose readily, forming a +1 ion (Na+). - It is a soft, silvery-white metal that can be cut with a knife. Step 3: Explain why sodium is a representative element Sodium is a representative element because its properties are typical of those found in group 1 (the alkali metals). Its reactivity, valence electron configuration, and physical characteristics are shared by other alkali metals, making sodium a good example of what to expect from elements in its group.