Question

Out of sulfur and gold, which will have a higher melting point?
A.Sulphur
B.Gold
C.Both have equal melting point
D.None of the above

Answer 1

Hint: We can predict melting point by identifying the nature of elements. We can classify the nature of elements as metals and non-metals. Metals are present on the left side of the periodic table and non-metals are present on the right side of the periodic table. Metals lose electrons from their outermost shell whereas nonmetals gain electrons from metals.

Complete answer:
We can say that metals are substances which are formed naturally beneath the surface of the Earth. They are mostly lustrous (or) shiny and are inorganic substances.
We can say that nonmetals are chemical elements which do not exhibit metallic properties and they have the ability to form anions, oxides of acids, and stable hydrogen compounds. These compounds do not generate heat (or) electricity and are brittle in nature.
We know that sulfur is a member of the oxygen family and it belongs to group-$16$ . It is found in the p-block of the periodic table. We can write the chemical symbol of sulfur as $S$.
We know that gold is a member of group $11$ and period $6$ . It is found in the d-block of the periodic table. We can write that the chemical symbol of gold is $Au$ .
We have to know that sulfur is non-metal and gold is metal. Generally, the boiling point and melting points of metal would be higher when compared to the boiling point and melting points of nonmetals because the metallic bonds present in metals are strongest.
So, the melting point of gold will be highest when compared to the melting point of silver.

Option (B) is correct.

Note:
We have to know that properties of nonmetals such as ionization energies and electronegativity would be higher when compared to metals. Nonmetals generally have the ability to form covalent bonds with other compounds. We have to know that metals form positive ions and nonmetals form negative ions.