Question

How does the metallic character of elements in  Modern Periodic Table vary on moving from left to right in a period, and (ii) down a group?Give reason to justify your answer.

Answer 1

Metallic character: It is defined as the tendency of an atom to lose electrons.

Across the period i.e., from left to right: Metallic character decreases

Down the group i.e., from top to bottom: Metallic character increases.

Reason: Across the period, the effective nuclear charge increases, thus decreasing its atomic radius. This favours the increase of electronegativity and therefore the tendency to lose electrons is low. This accounts for the decrease in the metallic character along the period. But as we move down the group, the number of shells keep on increasing and therefore the atomic size increases. This means that the electronegativity decreases. This enhances the ability to lose electrons and therefore the metallic character increases down the group.