Question

A part of the periodic table is shown. A portion of the fifteenth and sixteenth columns of the periodic table is shown. Column 15 from top to bottom reads seven nitrogen, 15 phosphorus, and 33 arsenic. Column 16 reads eight oxygen, 16 sulfur, and 34 selenium. Which of the following elements is more reactive than the others? Nitrogen (N) Oxygen (O) Selenium (Se) Sulfur (S)

Answer 1

Answer: The correct answer is oxygen.

Explanation:

Reactivity is defined as the tendency of an atom to loose or gain electrons.

The reactivity of non-metal increases as we move from left to right in a period and decreases as we move from top to bottom in a group.

The given elements are non-metals as they belong to group 15 and group 16  of the periodic table.

For the given options:

Nitrogen (N): It belongs to Group 15 and Period 2 of the periodic table.

Oxygen (O): It belongs to Group 16 and Period 2 of the periodic table.

Selenium (Se): It belongs to Group 16 and Period 4 of the periodic table.

Sulfur (S): It belongs to Group 16 and Period 3 of the periodic table.

From the given elements, the most reactive element will be oxygen.

Order of reactivity of metals follows:

$\text{Oxygen}>\text{Nitrogen}>\text{Sulfur}>\text{Selenium}$

Hence, the correct answer is oxygen.

Answer 2

Oxygen is the most reactive element listed here

It is the highest and most to the right of these elements listed