To determine which element would have properties most similar to lithium (which has 3 protons, 4 neutrons, and 3 electrons), we need to look at the number of protons, as the number of protons defines the element and its position on the periodic table.
Lithium (Li) has:
- 3 protons (which makes it lithium)
- 4 neutrons
- 3 electrons (indicating it is neutral)
Now, let's analyze the given options:
-
An element with 12 protons, 12 neutrons, and 12 electrons.
This would be magnesium (Mg), which is quite different from lithium. -
An element with 11 protons, 11 neutrons, and 11 electrons.
This would be sodium (Na), which is also more different from lithium as it is in the same group but in a higher period. -
An element with 10 protons, 12 neutrons, and 10 electrons.
This is neon (Ne), a noble gas, which has very different properties. -
An element with 4 protons, 4 neutrons, and 3 electrons.
This would be beryllium (Be). It has a different number of protons but shares being in the same period of the periodic table because it has a similar electron configuration with a filled outer shell.
The option with 11 protons, 11 neutrons, and 11 electrons (sodium) is in the same group as lithium (alkali metals) and has similar properties due to being in the same column of the periodic table. Sodium is one period below lithium and retains similar chemical reactivity.
The best choice among the options given that would have properties most similar to lithium is:
An element with 11 protons, 11 neutrons, and 11 electrons.