Which element is the least reactive, based on the data?
| | I (ion) | J (ion) | K (ion) | L (ion) |
| :-------- | :----------- | :----------- | :----------- | :----------- |
| Element I | X | Color change | Color change | Color change |
| Element J | Color change | x | x | x |
| Element K | Color change | x | x | Color change |
| Element L | x | x | x | x |
"X" indicates no reaction
A. Element L
B. Element I
C. Element J
D. Element K
Answer (2)
Analyze the reactivity table to identify reactions (color change) and no reactions (X) for each element.
Count the number of reactions for each element: I (3), J (1), K (2), L (0).
Compare the number of reactions to determine the least reactive element.
Conclude that Element L is the least reactive because it has 0 reactions: El e m e n t L
Explanation
Understanding the Problem We are given a table that shows the reactivity of four elements: I, J, K, and L. An 'X' in the table indicates no reaction between the element and the ion, while 'Color change' indicates a reaction. Our goal is to determine which element is the least reactive based on the data provided.
Determining the Approach To find the least reactive element, we need to count the number of reactions each element undergoes. The element with the fewest reactions is the least reactive.
Counting the Reactions Let's count the reactions for each element:
Element I: Reacts with J (color change), K (color change), and L (color change). Total reactions = 3.
Element J: Reacts with I (color change). Total reactions = 1.
Element K: Reacts with I (color change) and L (color change). Total reactions = 2.
Element L: Does not react with any of the ions (all 'X'). Total reactions = 0.
Identifying the Least Reactive Element Based on the counts, Element L has the fewest reactions (0). Therefore, Element L is the least reactive.
Final Answer Therefore, the least reactive element is Element L.
Examples
Understanding reactivity is crucial in many real-world applications. For example, in designing batteries, we need to choose materials that react in a controlled manner to produce electricity. Similarly, in preventing corrosion, we want to use materials that are less reactive to avoid unwanted chemical reactions with the environment. This problem demonstrates a simplified version of how chemists analyze reactivity to select appropriate materials for various applications.
Element L is the least reactive because it has no reactions with any of the ions, as shown in the provided data. It has a total of 0 reactions, while the other elements have 1 to 3 reactions. Thus, the answer is Element L.
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