Question

The trend in non metallic character across a period:

• A. decreases
• B. increases
• C. constant
• D. none of these

Answer 1

The correct option is B increases

"Tendency of an atom to form positive ions by losing electrons is called its metallic character."
The more readily an atom loses electrons, the more metallic it is.
The metallic character of elements decreases as we move across a row from left to right in the periodic table and increases as we move down a column in the periodic table. This is because on moving across a row in the periodic table, the number of valence electrons increases which causes elements to gain electrons rather than losing them. When we move down a column in the periodic table, the metallic character increases because the number of valence electrons remains same and the atomic size increases which make the valence electrons farther away from the nuclear attraction and thus easier to lose.