An element has its electron configuration as 2,8,2. Now answer the following questions:

a. What is the atomic number of this element?
→ Atomic Number (Z) = 2 + 8 + 2 = 12. 1 Mark
b. What is the group of this element?
→ This element belongs to Group 2. (∵ The outermost shell of this element has 2 electrons) 1 Mark
c. To which period does this element belong?
→ This element belongs to Period 3. (∵ The number of electron shells in the atom is 3) 1 Mark
d. With which of the following elements would this element resemble? (Atomic numbers are given in the brackets) N (7), Be (4) , Ar (18), Cl (17)
→ Among the given elements, this element would resemble Be (4). (∵ The electronic configuration of Be is 2,2. The number of electrons present in the outermost shell is 2. Hence, Be also belongs to the group 2.) 1 Mark