Question

The element with atomic number 117 (Uus) has not yet been discovered. Would you expect it to be a metal or a non-metal? Give reasons for your answer.

Answer 1

• The general electronic configuration of group 17 elements are ${\mathrm{ns}}^2{\mathrm{np}}^5$.
• These elements readily react with alkali metals and alkaline earth metals to produce a wide range of salts like calcium fluoride, silver bromide, etc.
• Given the atomic number, Z =117.
• The number of protons = 117.
• So, an electronic configuration is: $\left[\mathrm{Rn}\right]5{\mathrm{f}}^{4}6{\mathrm{d}}^{10}7{\mathrm{s}}^{2}7{\mathrm{p}}^5$.
• Hence the element belongs to group 17. Group 17 elements are termed halogens, they are nonmetals.
• The element with atomic number 117 will be placed in the 17th group of the periodic table.
• Moving over a period increases nuclear pull owing to a rise in atomic number, and hence decreases the atomic size.
• As a result, elements cannot lose electrons quickly. As a result, the elements of Group 17 are powerful nonmetals.