Question

Which of the following is a metal: ${}_{11}{}^{23}\mathrm{X}$ or ${}_9{}^{19}\mathrm{Y}$?

Answer 1

Metals are those elements (except Hydrogen) that have the tendency to form positive ions (cations) as a result of the loss of electrons.

dentification of metals and non-metals

• For${}_{11}{}^{23}\mathrm{X}$, atomic number $=11$ and mass number $=23$
• For${}_9{}^{19}\mathrm{Y}$, atomic number $=9$ and mass number $=19$
• The element with atomic number $11$ is Sodium and the element with atomic number $9$ is Fluorine. Sodium is a metal while Fluorine is a non-metal.
• Hence, the metal is ${}_{11}{}^{23}\mathrm{X}$ , which is Sodium.