everyday science MCQ #48830

Sodium catches fire in water with a yellow flame while argon sits in light bulbs without reacting. Which periodic pattern best explains this everyday contrast?

everyday science MCQ #48830

  1. Question 1

    Q1. Sodium catches fire in water with a yellow flame while argon sits in light bulbs without reacting. Which periodic pattern best explains this everyday contrast?

    • A) Argon has a full valence shell so it resists ordinary bonding while sodium readily loses an electron
    • B) Argon is lighter than sodium so it floats above reactions
    • C) Sodium is a nonmetal so it cannot ignite in water
    • D) Noble gases are always liquids at room temperature so they stop reactions

    Answer: Argon has a full valence shell so it resists ordinary bonding while sodium readily loses an electron

    Explanation: Argon has a complete outermost electron shell (eight valence electrons), giving it no tendency to gain or lose electrons; sodium has one valence electron it readily donates, making it highly reactive with water.