Question

Which of the following is a main group element?
A.Tungsten
B.Manganese
C.Gold
D.Aluminium
E.Copper

Answer 1

To answer this question, you must recall the basic structure of the periodic table and various terminologies about it. Main group elements are also called representative elements. The elements of s and p block are main group elements.

Complete step by step solution:
There are seven periods and eighteen groups in the modern periodic table. The period number of an element represents the principal quantum number of the element or in other words, the number of shells in the atom. The group number of an element helps us to find out the valence shell configuration of the atom or the number of valence electrons in the atom.
To understand this, we can consider sodium as an example. Sodium is a first group element and belongs to the third period of the periodic table. We know that it has 3 shells and 1 valence electron in the s orbital.
Based on the valence shell configurations, the table has been divided into four blocks, namely s- block, p- block, d- block and f- block having a total of eighteen groups.
The elements in the s- block and p- block are relatively easier to study than the d- block and f- block elements. Thus they are said to be as main groups.
Of the given elements, aluminium is a p- block element, thus a main group element.

Thus, the correct option is D.

Note:
The periodic table can be used to derive relationships between various physical and chemical properties and behaviour of elements. The modern periodic table provides an essential framework that helps in the analysis of various chemical reactions, and is used widely in the fields of chemistry, nuclear physics and other sciences.