“i believe the identity of the unknown element is sodium, in part because of its gray color and in part because the metal reacted with water.” which correctly evaluates the statement?
a. not reliable because many metals are gray and several react with water
b. reliable because the author believes the statement to be valid
c. not reliable because the identity of the element was not originally known
d. reliable because it deals with science topics such as metals and chemical reactivity

Option (A) is the correct answer.

Explanation:

Since there are many elements in the periodic table which are grey in color and they are also able to react with water.

For example, silicon, iron, cobalt, nickel, tungsten etc are all grey in color.

Therefore, when we are given an unknown element which is grey in color and reacts with water then we cannot exactly tell which element it is unless some more of its specific properties are given.

Thus, we can conclude that the correct statement will be, not reliable because many metals are gray and several react with water.