Question

an experiment using the reaction of several elements is carried out at room temperature and the data tables appear below. which statement best explains the results of the experiments?
element\telement 2\treaction
1\t\t
sodium\tchlorine\tyes
sodium\tphosphorus\tyes
sodium\taluminum\tno

a sodium and aluminum are both metals that react to gain stability via the removal of electrons in their valence shells; therefore, no reaction occurs.
b sodium and aluminum have the same ionization energy; therefore, no reaction occurs.
c aluminum has maximum stability with the addition of five electrons to its valence shell; however, sodium gains stability with the removal of only one electron. therefore, no reaction occurs.
d sodium and aluminum are both nonmetals that react to gain stability via the addition of electrons in their valence shells; therefore, no reaction occurs.

Explanation:

• Option A: Sodium (metal, loses 1 e⁻) and Aluminum (metal, loses 3 e⁻) both aim to lose electrons for stability. A reaction between two metals (both electron - donors) is unlikely as reactions often involve electron transfer between a donor and an acceptor. This explains no reaction.
• Option B: Sodium and Aluminum have different ionization energies (Al has higher IE as it's smaller and has more protons), so this is incorrect.
• Option C: Aluminum loses 3 electrons (not gains 5) to achieve stability (valence shell like Ne), so this is wrong.
• Option D: Both are metals (not non - metals) and lose electrons (don't gain), so this is incorrect.

Answer:

A. Sodium and aluminum are both metals that react to gain stability via the removal of electrons in their valence shells; therefore, no reaction occurs.