Match the following atomic number given in List I with the type of element given in List II:
| List I | List II |
| A. Element with highest electronegativity | i. \(I_2\) |
| B. Element with highest electron affinity | ii. \(Br_2\) |
| C. Liquid non-metal | iii. \(Cl_2\) |
| D. Solid non-metal | iv. \(F_2\) |
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is option 4. A-iv, B-iii, C-ii, D-i.
| List I | List II |
| A. Element with highest electronegativity | iv. \(F_2\) |
| B. Element with highest electron affinity | iii. \(Cl_2\) |
| C. Liquid non-metal | ii. \(Br_2\) |
| D. Solid non-metal | i. \(I_2\) |
Let us go through each element and property in detail to understand why each match is correct.
A. Element with highest electronegativity:
Electronegativity is a measure of an atom's ability to attract and bond with electrons. The most electronegative element on the periodic table is fluorine (\(F\)). Fluorine (\(F_2\)) has the highest electronegativity of 3.98 on the Pauling scale. Therefore, the element with the highest electronegativity is \(F_2\), matching A to iv.
B. Element with highest electron affinity:
Electron affinity is the amount of energy released when an electron is added to a neutral atom to form a negative ion. While fluorine has a high electron affinity, chlorine (\(Cl\)) actually has the highest electron affinity among the elements considered here due to its larger atomic size, which reduces electron repulsion. Chlorine (\(Cl_2\)) has an electron affinity of 349 kJ/mol, which is the highest among the halogens listed here. Therefore, the element with the highest electron affinity is \(Cl_2\), matching B to iii.
C. Liquid non-metal:
At room temperature, most non-metals are either gases or solids. However, bromine (\(Br_2\)) is unique as it is a liquid. Bromine (\(Br_2\)) is a red-brown liquid at room temperature and is the only non-metal that is a liquid in this list. Therefore, the liquid non-metal is \(Br_2\), matching C to ii.
D. Solid non-metal:
At room temperature, iodine (\(I_2\)) is a solid. Iodine (\(I_2\)) is a dark gray or purple-black solid with a crystalline structure. Therefore, the solid non-metal is \(I_2\), matching D to i.
Summarizing these matches:
A. Element with highest electronegativity: \(F_2\) (Fluorine) – iv
B. Element with highest electron affinity: \(Cl_2\) (Chlorine) – iii
C. Liquid non-metal: \(Br_2\) (Bromine) – ii
D. Solid non-metal: \(I_2\) (Iodine) – i
Thus, the correct matching according to the given properties and elements is: 4. A-iv, B-iii, C-ii, D-i