Question

Which of the following elements has the greatest tendency to lose electrons?

• A. Fluorine
• B. Sulphur
• C. Iron
• D. Beryllium

Answer 1

The correct option is C Iron

Among the given options, fluorine and sulphur are non-metals whereas iron and beryllium are metals. Metals have a greater tendency to lose electrons than non-metals because they have less valence electrons. These electrons are not tightly held by the nucleus. So, metals lose these electrons easily to attain nearest noble gas configuration.

Iron has a greater tendency to lose electrons than beryllium because beryllium already has stable configuration (K=2, L=2). So, among all the options, iron has more tendency to lose electrons.