Question

This is the periodic table of the elements with the element chlorine (Cl) highlighted.



Which element reacts most similarly to chlorine? Why?
A.
sulfur because they are both located in the same period

B.
fluorine because they both have seven valence electrons

C.
sulfur because they both gain two electrons to form anions

D.
fluorine because they are both gases at room temperature

Answer 1

B. fluorine because they both have seven valence electrons.

Explanation: Chlorine and fluorine are both halogens (Group 17) with seven valence electrons, so they tend to gain one electron and show very similar chemical behavior (form −1 ions, strong oxidizers). The other choices are incorrect: being in the same period (A) or the same physical state (D) does not determine similar reactivity, and sulfur does not gain two electrons like option C claims.