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An element X has the following properties - it is a good reductant - it reacts readily with water to produce molecular hydrogen and a solution containing a colourless ion, X2+ - it is naturally strongly radioactive - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 14 - 2003 - Paper 1
Question 14
An element X has the following properties - it is a good reductant - it reacts readily with water to produce molecular hydrogen and a solution containing a colourle... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:An element X has the following properties - it is a good reductant - it reacts readily with water to produce molecular hydrogen and a solution containing a colourless ion, X2+ - it is naturally strongly radioactive - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 14 - 2003 - Paper 1
Step 1
Step 2
it reacts readily with water to produce molecular hydrogen and a solution containing a colourless ion, X2+
Answer
This suggests that element X likely forms a hydroxide when reacting with water, leading to the formation of X2+. This is consistent with alkali and alkaline earth metals forming hydroxides.
Step 3
it is naturally strongly radioactive.
Answer
Among the given options, radium (Ra) is known to be a radioactive alkaline earth metal, while the others (Cs, Ca, Po) do not fit the criteria as closely. Cesium and calcium are not radioactive, and while polonium (Po) is radioactive, it does not exhibit the same reactivity with water.
Step 4