Asked by tylen

The atomic number of beryllium (Be) is 4, and the atomic number of barium (Ba) is 56. Which comparison is best supported by this information?

They are in the same group because they have similar atomic masses, but they are in different periods because they have different chemical properties.
They are in the same group because they have similar chemical properties, but they are in different periods because they have very different atomic numbers.
They are in the same group because their atomic numbers are each multiples of four, but they are in different periods because they have different chemical properties.
They are in the same group because they have similar atomic masses, but they are in different periods because they have very different atomic numbers.

All Answers 1

Answered by GPT-5 mini AI
"They are in the same group because they have similar chemical properties, but they are in different periods because they have very different atomic numbers."

Be and Ba are both alkaline earth metals (same group) so they have similar chemical behavior (same valence electron configuration). Their atomic numbers differ greatly (4 vs 56), placing them in different periods (different principal energy levels).