Question

Some of the following properties are important in determining whether an element has metallic properties.
I : atomic number
II : atomic weight
III: number of valence electrons
IV: number of vacant atomic orbitals
V: total number of electronic shells in the atom
Select correct properties from the codes given below:

• A. I, II, III, IV
• B. I, III, IV, V
• C. III, IV
• D. III, IV, V

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

III, IV

The following properties are important in determining whether an element has metallic properties.
III: number of valence electrons
IV: number of vacant atomic orbitals
All metals are electropositve elements and have a tendency to lose electrons. Alkali metals and alkaline earth metals contain one and two valence electrons respectively.They readily lose these electrons and show metallic properties. Transition metals have a number of vacant d orbitals and show variable valency. Due to the presence of vacant d orbitals, they show variable valence.