Question

In period 3 of the periodic table, element B is placed to the left of element A. On the basis of this information, choose the correct word from the brackets to complete the following statements.
(i) The element B would have (lower/higher) metallic character than A.
(ii) The element A would probably have (lesser/ higher) electron affinity than B.
(iii) The element A would have (greater/smaller) atomic size than B.

Answer 1

Part 1: Metallic character:-

• It is the ability or tendency of an element to lose electrons in order to form cations.
• Metallic character increases down the group and decreases across a period from left to right.
• Since element B is on the left of A, its metallic character is higher than A.

Part 2: Electron affinity:-

• It is the amount of energy released when an electron is added to the neutral atom in its gaseous state to form an anion.
• Electron affinity increases across a period from left to right and decreased on going down the group.
• Since A is on the right side of B, therefore its electron affinity is higher than B

Part 3: Atomic size:-

• Atomic size basically refers to the radius of the atom.
• It increases down the group. Across a period, generally, the atomic radius decreases.
• Since A is on the right side of B, A has smaller atomic size than B.

Final answer:-

(i) The element B would have higher metallic character than A.

(ii) The element A would probably have higher electron affinity than B.

(iii) The element A would have smaller atomic size than B.