The table below lists the properties of a metallic element.

Question

A table with 1 column titled property with entries shiny, silver colored, forms +1 and +2 ions, compound with sulfur is bright red.

Where on the periodic table would this element most likely be found?

Group 1
Group 3
Group 12
Group 13

Answer 1

Based on the properties listed for the metallic element:

1. Shiny: This is a common characteristic of metals.
2. Silver colored: Many metals, particularly transition metals and alkali metals, have a silver appearance.
3. Forms +1 and +2 ions: The ability to form +1 and +2 ions suggests that this element is likely to be a transition metal or a post-transition metal.
4. Compound with sulfur is bright red: This is a distinctive property that may help narrow down the options, as certain metal sulfides exhibit specific colors.

Considering these properties, the element is likely to correspond to Group 1 (alkali metals) or Group 12 (the zinc group, where elements like zinc and cadmium are found). However, the ability to form both +1 and +2 ions suggests a closer correlation with elements in Group 12.

The bright red compound with sulfur could refer to some notable compounds associated with metals that can show colorful sulfides. Notably, cadmium sulfide (CdS) is known to be bright yellow but can also appear red in certain forms.

Therefore, while it could theoretically belong to Group 1, the grouping that aligns better with the ability to form both +1 and +2 ions and shows up in bright red compounds would be Group 12.