Lithium has 3 protons, 4 neutrons, and 3 electrons. An element with which of these particles would have properties most similar to lithium?(1 point)

Question

Responses

An element with ​10 protons, 12 neutrons, and 10 electrons.
An element with ​10 protons, 12 neutrons, and 10 electrons.

An element with 4 protons, 4 neutrons, and 3 electrons.
An element with 4 protons, 4 neutrons, and 3 electrons.

An element with 12 protons, 12 neutrons, and 12 electrons.
An element with 12 protons, 12 neutrons, and 12 electrons.

An element with 11 protons, 11 neutrons, and 11 electrons.

Answer 1

To determine which element has properties most similar to lithium (Li), we need to consider the number of protons, as the chemical properties of an element are primarily determined by its atomic number (the number of protons).

Lithium has 3 protons, which corresponds to its atomic number of 3. Among the options provided, the element with 11 protons (which corresponds to sodium, Na) will exhibit similar properties compared to lithium, as they are both in the same group (alkali metals) on the periodic table. As a result, sodium and lithium will have similarities in their chemical reactivity despite the difference in proton number.

Therefore, the answer is:

An element with 11 protons, 11 neutrons, and 11 electrons.