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Since we're looking for a molecular product formed between element X and Fâ‚‚, we may assume that one molecule of X reacts with one molecule of Fâ‚‚. The molecular product will be of the form XFâ‚‚.

Now that we know the product is XFâ‚‚, we can write a balanced equation for the reaction. Since one molecule of X reacts with one molecule of Fâ‚‚, the balanced equation will be: \(X + F_{2} \rightarrow XF_{2}\) The equation is balanced because the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides.

To decide whether X is a metal or nonmetal, let's look at some general properties of metals and nonmetals reacting with Fâ‚‚. - Metals: When metals react with Fâ‚‚, they usually form ionic compounds (due to the transfer of electrons from metals to Fâ‚‚). These ionic compounds have a metal cation and a fluoride anion, and they are generally represented as MX (X is the metal, and a single charged ion F exists). - Nonmetals: When nonmetals react with Fâ‚‚, they tend to form covalent compounds, as both elements use their shared electrons to complete their octet rule, resulting in the formation of molecular substances. Since the product formed in the reaction here is XFâ‚‚ (a molecular substance), it is likely that element X is a nonmetal. So, based on our analysis, we can conclude that element X is a nonmetal.

(a) The balanced equation for the reaction is \(X + F_{2} \rightarrow XF_{2}\). (b) Element X is likely a nonmetal since it forms a molecular substance (XFâ‚‚) when reacting with Fâ‚‚(g).