Which of the following is a Dobereiner’s Triads

Which of the following is a Dobereiner’s Triads ? a. Li, Na, K b. Li, Sr, I c. Li, Ca, Cl d. Kr, Br, I …

The Correct Answer and Explanation is:

The correct answer is a. Li, Na, K.

Explanation:

Dobereiner’s Triads refer to a concept in early chemistry, proposed by Johann Wolfgang Döbereiner in the early 19th century. Döbereiner noticed that certain groups of three elements had a particular pattern in their atomic weights. Specifically, he observed that the atomic weight of the middle element in a triad was approximately the average of the atomic weights of the other two elements.

In the case of Li, Na, K, these elements form a triad, as the atomic weights of lithium (Li), sodium (Na), and potassium (K) follow the pattern described by Döbereiner:

  • Li (Lithium): Atomic weight = 6.94
  • Na (Sodium): Atomic weight = 22.99
  • K (Potassium): Atomic weight = 39.10

The atomic weight of sodium is close to the average of lithium and potassium: Average of Li and K=6.94+39.102=23.02\text{Average of Li and K} = \frac{6.94 + 39.10}{2} = 23.02Average of Li and K=26.94+39.10​=23.02

This shows that the middle element, sodium, fits the pattern of being the average of the first and third elements.

The other options do not follow the same pattern:

  • b. Li, Sr, I: There is no consistent relationship between the atomic weights of these elements.
  • c. Li, Ca, Cl: These elements do not form a triad according to Döbereiner’s rules.
  • d. Kr, Br, I: Similarly, these elements don’t fit the triad concept.

Thus, Li, Na, K is the correct example of a Dobereiner’s Triad.

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