Which elements have the most similar chemical properties? boron and carbon oxygen and sulfur aluminum and bromine argon and silicon

Option (b) is the correct answer.

Explanation:

Elements which belong to same group show similar chemical properties.

This is because elements which are present in the same group have same number of valence electrons. Hence, they tend to show same type of reactivity which makes them exhibit similar chemical properties.

As chemical properties are defined as the properties which tend to show difference in chemical composition of a substance.

For example, toxicity, reactivity, combustion etc are all chemical properties.

Here, oxygen and sulfur are both group 16 elements. So, they tend to show similar chemical properties.

Thus, we can conclude that oxygen and sulfur elements have the most similar chemical properties.

c. heat could easily travel through the molecules in the air and escape/enter the flask. removing the air slows down the heat transfer.