Calcium (Ca) and strontium (Sr) are expected to show chemical reactions similar to magnesium (Mg). This is because the number of valence electrons (2) is same in all these three elements and since chemical properties are due to valence electrons, they show same chemical reactions.

(a) Lithium (Li), sodium (Na), and potassium (K) have a single electron in their outermost shells.
(b) Magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca) have two electrons in their outermost shells.
(c) Neon (Ne), argon (Ar), and xenon (Xe) have filled outermost shells.

(a) Yes. The atoms of all the three elements lithium, sodium, and potassium have one electron in their outermost shells.

(b) Both helium (He) and neon (Ne) have filled outermost shells. Helium has a duplet in its K shell, while neon has an octet in its L shell.

Among the first ten elements, lithium (Li) and beryllium (Be) are metals.

Since Be lies to the extreme left hand side of the periodic table, Be is the most metallic among the given elements.

Which of the following statements is not a correct statement about the trends when going from left to right across the periods of periodic Table.
(a) The elements become less metallic in nature.
(b) The number of valence electrons increases.
(c) The atoms lose their electrons more easily.
(d) The oxides become more acidic.
 

ANS(c) The atoms lose their electrons more easily.

Element X forms a chloride with the formula XCl2, which is a solid with a high melting point. X would most likely be in the same group of the Periodic Table as
(a) Na
(b) Mg
(c) Al
(d) Si
ANS (b) Mg

(a) Neon
(b) Magnesium
(c) Silicon
(d) Boron
(e) Carbon