Certain Period 2 Elements Exhibit Behaviors Similar to Period 3

question 20

Multiple Choice

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

• A)Both exhibit electrical properties of a conductor.
• B)The oxoanions of both elements occur in extended ionic networks.
• C)Both elements form compounds (boranes and silanes)that are good oxidizing agents.
• D)Boric acid and silicic acid occur in layers with widespread hydrogen bonding.
• E)Both elements are unusually soft solids.