A scientist performs an experiment on an unknown element. She finds that the element forms an ionic bond with beryllium (Be) but not with lithium (Li). She concludes that the unknown element must belong in group 2 of the periodic table. State whether or not you think this result supports her conclusion, and why

Answer: The result do not support her conclusion as group 2 elements are metals.

Explanation:

An ionic bond is formed when an element completely transfers its valence electron to another element. The element which donates the electron is known as electropositive element or the metal and forms a positively charged ion called as cation. The element which accepts the electrons is known as electronegative element or non metal and forms a negatively charged ion called as anion.

As both Lithium (Li) and berrylium (Be) are metals, they would combine with a non metal to form ionic bond. Thus the unknown element must be a non metal and should belong to group 14, 15, 16 or 17 and not to group 2, which are metals.

Thus The result do not support her conclusion as group 2 elements are metals.

To fill up all of the valence electrons we must have 8 electrons total to have an ionic bond. In this case Lithium is in group 1 and so only has 1 valence electron and so it can bond with elements from group 17, since 7 + 1 = 8. However, this unknown element did bond with beryllium, and beryllium is in group 2 so it must bond with an atom that has 6 valence electrons. The elements that have 6 valence electrons are in group 16 not group 2. So the result does not support her conclusion.