Question

Extremely electropositive metals are present in _______ in _______ groups.
(A) IIA and IIIA
(B) IA and IIA
(C) IIIA and IVA
(D) IVA and VIIA

Answer 1

Hint: Electropositivity is defined as the ability to lose the electrons. This property is shown mainly by metallic elements. And these elements are found at the left of the periodic table.

Complete step by step answer:
> Electropositivity can be defined as the tendency of an atom to donate electrons and form positively charged cations. The elements that show electropositive nature are known as electropositive elements.
> The alkali metals and the alkaline earth metals are the most electropositive elements that are found in the periodic table. These elements belong to the IA and IIA groups of the periodic table.
> The electropositivity of the elements is known to increase down the group and decrease across the period. This is due the reason that the atomic radius of the element increases down the group due the addition of new shells and it becomes more easier to lose electrons as we go down the group. And thus, the electropositivity increases down the group.
> In theory, Francium is suggested to be the most electropositive element but caesium is known to be the most stable electropositive element.
> As we saw in the above points that extremely electropositive elements belong to the IA and IIA groups of the periodic table. Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

Note: It is important to note that electropositivity is the opposite of electronegativity. Electronegativity is a measure of the tendency of an atom to gain electrons and form negatively charged anions. Therefore, highly electropositive elements have very low electronegativity and highly electronegative elements have very low electropositivity