If an element belongs to group 17 of the periodic table, is it likely to be a metal or nonmetal.
Step-1: Introduction
The elements in periodic table are placed in periods and groups. Periods are horizontal rows that has increasing atomic numbers. Groups are vertical columns. The groups have similar chemical properties. There are 7 periods and 18 groups in periodic table.
Step-2: Character of elements
In periodic table, group 1, 2 are metals, group 17, 18 are non-metals, middle groups are transition metals and zig-zag line along the group 13 to 16 are metalloids.
As atomic number increases, metallic character along a period decreases.
The non-metallic character is higher on the extreme right of the periodic table. The group 17 elements are halogens while group 18 are noble gases. Halogens and noble gases have greatest non-metallic character.
So, non-metal character is in elements that belonging to group 17.
Step-3: Final answer
Therefore, group 17 elements are non-metals.