Question

An element Y exists as yellow solid, it shows catenation and allotropy? The element Y forms two types of oxides which are also the products of thermal decomposition of ferrous sulphate. These gases are the major cause of air pollution.

Locate the position (group and period) of the element Y in the modern periodic table.

Answer 1

Step-1: Introduction

The linkage into atoms chain of the same element is catenation.

An element that can exhibit in many different form in the alike physical state is allotropy.

The element exist as yellow solid, showing catenation and allotropy is Sulphur ($\mathrm{S}$).

Step-2: Configuration of Sulphur

Sulphur is an element with atomic number 16.

Sulphur has 2 electrons in K-shell, 8 electrons in L-shell and 6 electrons in M-shell.

So, the electronic configuration of Sulphur is (2, 8, 6).

Step-3: Location of Sulphur

Number of valence shell in Sulphur = 3

The number of valence shell = Number of period

So, the period of Sulphur is 3.

Number of valence electrons in Sulphur = 6

The number of valence electrons + 10 = Number of group

So, the group of is Sulphur is 16.

Final answer

Therefore, the element Y is Sulphur that belongs to group 16 and period 3.