Question

Most metallic element has the following electron arrangement in its atom is:
A. 2, 8, 4
B. 2, 8, 8
C. 2, 8, 8, 1
D. 2, 8, 8, 7

Answer 1

Hint: Metals tend to lose electrons to acquire the configuration of Noble Gas electrons, whereas non-metals tend to acquire electrons to obtain configurations of Noble Gas. The distribution of atom or molecular electrons in atomic or molecular orbitals is coined as the term electronic configuration.

Complete step by step solution: Metallic character refers to the level of reactivity of a metal. Metals, as indicated by their low ionization energies, appear to lose electrons in chemical reactions.
In chemical reactions, nonmetals prefer to gain electrons and have a strong electron appeal inside a product. In the upper-right section of the periodic table, the most volatile nonmetals exist. Due to their lack of reactivity, the noble gases are a special category, so the element fluorine is the most reactive non-metal.

Alkali metals are the most metallic elements. They have one electron in their valence shell. The general outer electronic configuration of alkali metal is $n{{s}^{1}}$.
A. 2, 8, 4
The electron arrangement of the given element is 2, 8, 4. Hence, the element is silicon. And silicon is metalloid. Thus, this option is not correct.

B. 2, 8, 8
The electron arrangement of the given element is 2, 8, 8. Hence, the element is argon. And argon is non-metal. Thus, this option is not correct.

C. 2, 8, 8, 1
The electron arrangement of the given element is 2, 8, 8, 1. Hence, the element is potassium. And potassium is metal as it belongs to the alkali metal family and alkali metals are the most metallic elements. Thus, this option is correct.

D. 2, 8, 8, 7
The electron arrangement of the given element is 2, 8, 8, 7. Hence, the element is manganese. And manganese is a hard metal and is very brittle. Thus, this option is not correct.

Hence, option C is correct.

Note: Always remember, alkali metals are the most metallic elements. They have one electron in their valence shell. A metalloid is an element that has properties that are intermediate between those of metals and nonmetals. Metalloids can also be called semimetals.