Question

Which one of the following is a metal?

• A. Carbon
• B. Nitrogen
• C. Sodium
• D. Oxygen

Answer 1

The correct option is C

Sodium

Explanation for correct option:

(C) Sodium

Metals and their properties

• Metallic character is associated with the elements that are metals.
• Most metals are hard, have high melting/boiling points, and are malleable and ductile.
• Elements with metallic character are placed in alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, and transition metals.
• Metallic character decreases across a period on moving from left to right. in the Periodic Table.
• It increases on moving down in the group in the Periodic Table.

Sodium

• The chemical element sodium has the symbol $\mathrm{Na}$ and the atomic number $11$.
• It is a soft, silvery-white metal that is very reactive.
• Sodium is an alkali metal that belongs to Periodic Group $1$ of the periodic table.

Explanation for incorrect options

• Carbon, nitrogen and oxygen are non-metals.
• Hence all other options (A), (B) and (D) are incorrect.

Therefore, the correct option is (C) Sodium.