Question

How many elements in the periodic table are represented by a Lewis symbol with a single dot? Are all these elements in the same group? Explain.

Short answer

There are 7 elements in the periodic table that have a Lewis symbol with a single dot, representing one valence electron. These elements are Hydrogen (H), Lithium (Li), Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), Rubidium (Rb), Cesium (Cs), and Francium (Fr). All of these elements, except for Hydrogen, belong to the same group, Group 1 (Alkali Metals). Hydrogen is in the same group but exhibits different properties as it is a non-metal.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding Lewis symbols and valence electrons

Lewis symbols, also known as electron dot structures, represent the Valence Electrons of an element. Valence electrons are the electrons in the outermost shell of an atom. These electrons play a vital role in determining the chemical reactivity and bonding behavior of an element. A Lewis symbol with a single dot represents an element with one valence electron. To find such elements, we need to examine the periodic table and focus on elements' electron configurations.

Identify elements with a single valence electron

To identify elements with a single valence electron, we should start by looking at the periodic table's different groups. The Valence Electrons of elements in a group generally share similar properties. In the modern periodic table, elements are arranged in 18 vertical columns called groups. Group 1 (also known as alkali metals) contains elements like Hydrogen (H), Lithium (Li), Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), Rubidium (Rb), Cesium (Cs), and Francium (Fr). These elements have one electron in their outermost shell, which gives them a Lewis symbol with a single dot. So the elements in the periodic table with a Lewis symbol showing a single dot are: 1. Hydrogen (H) 2. Lithium (Li) 3. Sodium (Na) 4. Potassium (K) 5. Rubidium (Rb) 6. Cesium (Cs) 7. Francium (Fr)

Analyze if all these elements are in the same group

Now that we have the list of elements with a single dot in their Lewis symbol, let's check whether these elements belong to the same group or not. All the elements listed above (H, Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, and Fr) belong to Group 1 in the periodic table, known as alkali metals (except Hydrogen, which is a non-metal). Hence, these elements with a Lewis symbol having a single dot are in the same group, except for Hydrogen, which has similar electron configuration but different properties. The answer to the question is as follows: There are 7 elements in the periodic table that are represented by a Lewis symbol with a single dot. All of these elements, except Hydrogen, are part of the same group (Group 1 - Alkali Metals). Hydrogen is in the same group but exhibits different properties since it's a non-metal.