Question

Explain the following:

Metallic character of elements decreases from left to right in a period while it increases in moving down a group.

Answer 1

On moving across a period, nuclear pull increases because of the increase in atomic number, and thus, the atomic size decreases. Hence, elements cannot lose electrons easily. Hence, Group 17 elements are strong non-metals, while Group 1 elements are strong metals. Down a group, the atomic size increases and the nuclear charge also increases. The effect of an increased atomic size is greater as compared to the increased nuclear charge. Therefore, metallic nature increases as one moves down a group, i.e. they can lose electrons easily.