First Part:
The element from clue 16, which is in Period 6 and Group 1 of the periodic table, is Cesium. Its atomic number is 55.
Second Part:
To "cross a divide," we might be looking at a change or a transition between different categories of elements. When we land on "solid ground," we're looking for a silvery-white metal that has an average atomic mass of 178.5 amu. This element is Tungsten, which has an atomic number of 74.
Now, when we "add 7 protons" to Tungsten's atomic number of 74, we get: 74 + 7 = 81.
The element with atomic number 81 is Thallium.
Final Steps:
- I identified the element from clue 16 as Cesium (atomic number 55) based on its position in the periodic table.
- I then looked for a silvery white metal with an atomic mass of approximately 178.5, which is Tungsten with an atomic number of 74.
- Finally, I added 7 protons to the atomic number of Tungsten (74), giving me Thallium with atomic number 81.
So, to summarize: Cesium (Atomic number 55), Tungsten (Atomic number 74), and then Thallium (Atomic number 81) after adding 7 protons.