Question

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

Li, Be, C, O, F

• A. F < O < C < Be < Li
• B. Li < Be < C < O < F
• C. F < O < C < Be < Li
• D. F < O < Be < C < Li

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Li < Be < C < O < F

On moving from left to right in the Periodic Table, non-metallic character increases. This is because there is a decrease in atomic size and so, the attraction between nucleus and outermost electron increases, making it difficult to lose electron.

So, if we arrange the given elements in the order in which they appear in the Periodic Table, we can see that the elements on the left are most metallic and on the right are most non-metallic.

Li < Be < C < O < F