Certain Period 2 Elements Exhibit Behaviors Similar to Period 3

question 12

Multiple Choice

Certain Period 2 elements exhibit behaviors similar to Period 3 elements immediately below and to the right. One of these interesting diagonal relationships occurs between beryllium and aluminum. Which of the following is one of their differences?

• A)Some aluminum compounds and all beryllium compounds show significant covalent character in the gas phase.
• B)Beryllium forms bridge bonds in its hydrides while aluminum does not.
• C)Both form oxides that are impervious to reaction with water.
• D)The cations for both strongly polarize nearby electron clouds.
• E)Beryllium occurs in nature as the uncombined element, whereas aluminum does not.

---

Definitions:

Radioactive Isotope

An isotope of an element that has an unstable nucleus and emits radiation during its decay to a stable form.

Greenhouse Effect

The process by which radiation from a planet's atmosphere warms the planet's surface more than it would without this atmosphere, largely due to greenhouse gases.

Troposphere

The lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere, where weather happens and where most of the planet's atmospheric water vapor exists.

Gaseous Molecules

Atoms bonded together that exist in the gas phase, characterized by their ability to fill a container of any size or shape.