eriq, a chemist, is running tests with four unknown elements. he has found that they all bond the same way…

eriq, a chemist, is running tests with four unknown elements. he has found that they all bond the same way, so he knows that they are in the same group on the periodic table of elements. the table shows other properties that eriq observed. properties of four unknown elements element # melting point boiling point phase at room temperature 1 266 k 332 k liquid 2 172 k 239 k gas 3 387 k 457 k solid 4 53 k 85 k gas these four elements are most likely in group 15. 16. 17. 18.

eriq, a chemist, is running tests with four unknown elements. he has found that they all bond the same way, so he knows that they are in the same group on the periodic table of elements. the table shows other properties that eriq observed. properties of four unknown elements element # melting point boiling point phase at room temperature 1 266 k 332 k liquid 2 172 k 239 k gas 3 387 k 457 k solid 4 53 k 85 k gas these four elements are most likely in group 15. 16. 17. 18.

Answer

Answer:

C. 17

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze group - 15 elements

Group - 15 elements (nitrogen group) generally have different physical states and properties. For example, nitrogen is a gas at room - temperature, and phosphorus can be a solid. Their melting and boiling points do not match the given data trends.

Step2: Analyze group - 16 elements

Group - 16 elements (chalcogens) also have diverse physical states. Oxygen is a gas, sulfur is a solid. Their melting and boiling points are not consistent with the provided data.

Step3: Analyze group - 17 elements

Group - 17 elements (halogens) have a trend in physical states and melting/boiling points. Fluorine ($F_2$) and chlorine ($Cl_2$) are gases at room - temperature, bromine ($Br_2$) is a liquid, and iodine ($I_2$) is a solid. The melting and boiling points increase down the group, which is consistent with the data in the table.

Step4: Analyze group - 18 elements

Group - 18 elements (noble gases) are all gases at room - temperature under standard conditions, which does not match the presence of a liquid and a solid in the given data.