Among the elements with atomic number 9, 12, 16 and 36 which is highly electropositive ?

Options

A. Element with atomic number 9
B. Element with atomic number 12
C. Element with atomic number 16
D. Element with atomic number 36

Answer

To determine which element among those with atomic numbers 9 (Fluorine), 12 (Magnesium), 16 (Sulfur), and 36 (Krypton) is the most electropositive, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Identify the Elements
- Atomic number 9: Fluorine (F)
- Atomic number 12: Magnesium (Mg)
- Atomic number 16: Sulfur (S)
- Atomic number 36: Krypton (Kr)

### Step 2: Determine the Electronic Configurations
- Fluorine (F): 1s² 2s² 2p⁵
- Magnesium (Mg): 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s²
- Sulfur (S): 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁴
- Krypton (Kr): 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶

### Step 3: Understand Electropositivity
Electropositivity refers to the ability of an element to donate electrons easily. Elements that are more electropositive tend to be metals and are typically found in groups that have low electronegativity.

### Step 4: Analyze Each Element
- **Fluorine (F)**: Highly electronegative, does not donate electrons easily; instead, it tends to gain electrons.
- **Magnesium (Mg)**: A metal that can lose two electrons from its outer shell (3s²) to achieve a stable noble gas configuration (Neon). This makes it electropositive.
- **Sulfur (S)**: Can gain two electrons to achieve a stable configuration (Argon), but it is not electropositive as it prefers to gain rather than lose electrons.
- **Krypton (Kr)**: A noble gas with a complete outer shell, does not participate in electron donation or acceptance, hence not electropositive.

### Step 5: Conclusion
Among the elements, Magnesium (Mg) is the most electropositive because it can easily lose its two outermost electrons.

### Final Answer
**Magnesium (Mg)** is the most electropositive element among those listed.

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