Magnesium (Mg) reacts explosively with oxygen (O2) gas. Which of these elements is most likely to react with oxygen in a similar way?

manganese (Mn)

calcium (Ca)

bromine (Br)

sulfur (S)

Question

Magnesium (Mg) reacts explosively with oxygen (O2) gas. Which of these elements is most likely to react with oxygen in a similar way?

 manganese (Mn) 

 calcium (Ca) 

 bromine (Br) 

 sulfur (S)

anonymous · Answer

I believe the best direction to take this question in is to ask yourself, which element of the four mentioned is most like Magnesium.  The elements that are most like each other can always be found in the same column. So which element in the periodic table is within Magnesium's column?

gebooors · Answer

Ca, it belongs to same group as Mg.