Question

Describe the properties of O, S, Se, Te and Po (group 16 elements) with reference to metallic/non-metallic character.

Answer 1

There is very little of a metallic quality to the elements in group 16. Moving down the group, however, increases the metallic nature. Se and Te are semiconductors, polonium is metallic, and oxygen and sulphur are typical non-metals and insulators.

Group 16 elements have a poor metallic character because of their high electronegativity and ionisation energy. Both the electronegativity and the ionisation energy drop as one goes down the group. As a result, the metallic aspect gets stronger as one moves down the group.