Question

Arrange the following elements in order of decreasing non-metallic character :

$Ge,Sn,Pb,Si$

• A. $Pb,>Sn,>Ge,>Si$
• B. $Pb,>Ge,>Sn>Si$
  
• C. $Si,>Ge>Sn>Pb$
• D. Equal non-metallic character
• E. None of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is C $Si,>Ge>Sn>Pb$

The order of decreasing non-metallic character is
$Si>Ge>Sn>Pb$
On moving down the group, metallic character increases and non-metallic character decreases. This is because the effective nuclear charge acting on valence electrons decreases as the outermost electrons are farther away from the nucleus. These electrons can be easily lost.