Question

Complete the following suitably:

In any vertical column of elements in a subgroup of the Periodic Table, as you go from top to bottom.

The elements become _____ metallic.

Answer 1

• Metallic character is the ability of an atom to lose either one or more electrons to obtain a stable electronic configuration. For example, Potassium $\left(\mathrm{K}\right)$, a metal easily loses one electron (${\mathrm{e}}^{-}$) to form a Potassium ion (${\mathrm{K}}^{+}$).

$\mathrm{K}+\mathrm{energy}\to {\mathrm{K}}^{+}+{\mathrm{e}}^{-}$

• The atomic size increases while the ionization energy decreases on moving down the Group in the periodic table. Due to an increase in the atomic size and decrease in ionization energy, the loss of electrons by the element becomes easy and therefore, the metallic character increases on moving from top to bottom in the Group. Hence, elements become more metallic on moving down the Group.
• Example, Tin (Sn) and Lead (Pb) both belong to the same Group (Group 14) but Tin lies above Lead in the Group. Therefore, Lead has a more metallic character than Tin.
• Hence, the elements become more metallic.