Which element is found in free state

Options

A. Iodine
B. Sulphur
C. Phosphorus
D. Magnesium

Answer

To determine which element is found in a free state among the given options (iodine, sulphur, phosphorous, and magnesium), we can analyze each element based on its reactivity and occurrence in nature.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Free State**:
- Free state refers to elements that exist in their natural form, uncombined with other elements.

2. **Analyzing Iodine**:
- Iodine is a halogen with 7 electrons in its outer shell. It tends to react with other elements to achieve a stable octet configuration. Therefore, iodine is not typically found in a free state.

3. **Analyzing Sulphur**:
- Sulphur can exist in a free state, commonly found as S8 molecules. It is relatively stable and can form allotropes. The crown structure of S8 indicates that sulphur can exist independently without combining with other elements.

4. **Analyzing Phosphorus**:
- Phosphorus is highly reactive and does not exist in a free state. It readily combines with other elements to achieve stability, making it unlikely to be found uncombined in nature.

5. **Analyzing Magnesium**:
- Magnesium is a metal that is also reactive, especially with oxygen and water. It does not exist in a free state in nature due to its tendency to form compounds.

6. **Conclusion**:
- Based on the analysis, the only element that can be found in a free state is **sulphur**.

### Final Answer:
**Sulphur** is the element that is found in a free state.

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