Which of the following atomic elements does not belong in the following list?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers around identifying an atomic element that does not belong in the list: Carbon, Neon, Silicon, Phosphorus, Iodine, and Xenon. Participants initially explore scientific characteristics, noting that Carbon is unique for not having a full electron shell, while Silicon is semi-metallic and the others are non-metallic. However, the focus shifts to a language-based reasoning. The key insight is that Iodine is the only element that can be spelled using its atomic symbols, making it the odd one out. This conclusion is reached after a series of hints and guesses, ultimately leading to the recognition that Iodine stands apart from the others in this linguistic context.
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Which of the following atomic elements does not belong in the following list?

Carbon, Neon, Silicon, Phosphorus, Iodine, Xenon
 
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Originally posted by Greg Bernhardt
Which of the following atomic elements does not belong in the following list?

Carbon, Neon, Silicon, Phosphorus, Iodine, Xenon

this may not be what you are looking for but Carbon is an exception in being the only one that does not have a full shell of 8 in its electron structure

It goes 2-4
and the others go 2-8-something-...
 
Silcon is semi-metallic, the rest are non-metallic.
 
Phosphorus

The others can be found in a pure state, but phosphorus is too reactive and has be be separated?
 
Those answers are right, but not what I am looking for. I am looking for an answer that is not scientific, more language based.
 
They all contain the letter 'n' 'cept P.?
 
The only other thig I can think of is that they were all named by they're discoverers except Carbon which had been known since ancient times?
 
neither is silicon tho'
 
for whatever reason, carbon
Greg just asked which element doesn't belong, not why:wink:
 
  • #10
i'll give another hint in a little bit if no one guesses correctly
 
  • #11
I will hazard a guess. (just a guess...don't kill me ):

Phosphorus

Because the word is derived from two words ( phos (light) and phoros (bearer))
instead of from one word like the others.

He said it was language-based...
 
  • #13
neon - it is the only one that isn't next to another element in the list
 
  • #14
Holy moly, i think i got it:

Iodine is the one that doesn't fit

Reason:

Its the only one you can spell with the atomic symbols


C-Ar-B-O-N
Ne-O-N
Si-Li-C-O-N
P-H-O-S-P-H-O-Ru-S
Xe-N-O-N

Dude, i got too much time on my hands!
 
  • #15
Originally posted by dduardo
Holy moly, i think i got it:

Iodine is the one that doesn't fit

Reason:

Its the only one you can spell with the atomic symbols


C-Ar-B-O-N
Ne-O-N
Si-Li-C-O-N
P-H-O-S-P-H-O-Ru-S
Xe-N-O-N

Dude, i got too much time on my hands!


dduardo gets the point!
 
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