Question

Pnicogens are the elements of a group?
a.) 15
b.) 13
c.) VIII
d.) Zero

Answer 1

Hint: Pnictogens, a term derived from the Greek word pnigein, which means ‘to choke’. This refers to the choking property of nitrogen gas (as opposed to air, which contains oxygen as well as nitrogen).


Complete step by step solution:Nitrogen belongs to group 15. This group contains Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Arsenic, Antimony and Bismuth. Some are diamagnetic, paramagnetic at room temperature, others are antiferromagnetic , but at low temperatures. Some are transparent, others are refractory.
The nitrogen family consists of five elements.
Nitrogen
Phosphorus
Arsenic
Antimony
Bismuth

Let us know a bit more about nitrogen family,
As we know nitrogen family elements consist of atoms having 5 electrons in their outer energy level.
As you move down the group the atomic radius increases, ionic radius increases, ionization energy decreases and electronegativity decreases.
Elements belonging to this group often form covalent bonds.
Nitrogen and phosphorus are non-metals. Arsenic and antimony are metalloids. But bismuth is a metal.
The pnictogens are solids at room temperature, except for nitrogen, which is a gas. Binary compounds from this group are termed pnictides.
The element family may also be termed as pentels, which refers both to the element group V and their characteristic of having 5 valence electrons.

Therefore, Pnicogens are the elements of group 15. Hence option A is the required answer.

Note: Pnictogens are well noted for their stability in compounds due to their tendency for forming double and triple covalent bonds. This property leads to their potential toxicity, mostly found in phosphorus, arsenic and antimony.