AP Biology : Water and Carbon

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Biology

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Understanding Essential Properties Of Carbon

The chemical properties of which of the following elements are most similar to carbon?

Possible Answers:

Iron

Silicon

Nitrogen

Zinc

Oxygen

Correct answer:

Silicon

Explanation:

The chemical properties of an element are, in a large part, determined by the number of bonds that element can form with other elements. Silicon, like carbon, can form four bonds with other elements, and thus is the most similar. This can easily be seen on a periodic table as elements with similar properties are grouped together in the same column. Note that these similarities arise from having the same number of valence electrons. 

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