Question

Discuss the trends in the variation of metallic and nonmetallic properties in a period and in a group

Answer 1

• The variation of metallic and nonmetallic properties along the period and along the group:-

Metallic character decreases as you move across a period in the periodic tablefrom left to right. This occurs as atoms more readily accept electrons to fill a valence shell than lose them to remove the unfilled shell. The metallic character increases as you go down a group. Since the ionization energy decreases going down a group (or increases going up a group), the increased ability for metals lower in a group to lose electrons makes them more reactive.In addition, the atomic radius increases going down a group, placing the outer electrons further away from the nucleus and making that electron less attracted by the nucleus. So, metals become more reactive as we go down the group.

The tendency to gain electrons increases on moving across a period due to an increase in the nuclear charge and decrease in the atomic size. Hence, the non-metallic character increases across a period. As we move down the group, the non-metallic character decreases due to increase in the atomic size.