To determine which element is the least malleable in its solid state based on the periodic table, we need to consider the general properties of metals and nonmetals.
- Strontium (Sr) and copper (Cu) are metals, and metals are generally malleable.
- Antimony (Sb) is a metalloid, which possesses some properties of both metals and nonmetals, but is typically less malleable than metals.
- Phosphorus (P) is a nonmetal and is not malleable at all; instead, it tends to be brittle in its solid state.
Given this information, the element that is least malleable in its solid state is phosphorus (P).
So, the answer is phosphorus (P).
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