Question

I am not really an alkali metal, but since I have 1 electron I behave like them. What element am I?

1) Lithium
2) Sodium
3) Potassium
4) Rubidium

Answer 1

Hydrogen is often placed in Group 1 with the alkali metals because it has one electron, like them, but it is not an alkali metal as it is a nonmetal.

Step-by-step explanation:

The element in question is hydrogen, which is often placed in Group 1 of the periodic table but is not an alkali metal. The alkali metals, such as lithium, sodium, potassium, and rubidium, all have a single valence electron in their outermost shell, which they can easily lose, making them highly reactive. Like these metals, hydrogen also has one electron, but unlike the alkali metals, it is a nonmetal. Hydrogen's placement in Group 1 is due to its electron configuration which gives it some similar properties to the alkali metals.