Question

In a group, metallic character ______and non-metallic character ______ from top to bottom.

• A. increases
• B. decreases

Answer 1

Metallic character trends:

• Metallic character refers to the level of reactivity of metal, that is how easily an element can lose electrons in a reaction.
• Metallic character decreases from left to right across the period as the outer electrons experience increasing effective nuclear charge and thus require more energy for their removal.
• Metallic character increases down the group as the outer electrons are further from the nucleus and require less energy for their removal.
• Copper($\mathrm{Cu}$), Aluminium($\mathrm{Al}$), Iron ($\mathrm{Fe}$) and Zinc ($\mathrm{Zn}$) are examples of metals.

Nonmetallic character trends:

• Non-metallic character refers to the tendency to accept electrons during chemical reactions.
• While moving left to right the atomic radius decreases due to which attraction between the nucleus and electrons increases, therefore, non-metallic tendency increases going from left to right across the periodic table.
• While moving down the group, the attraction between the nucleus and the electrons decreases. therefore it becomes difficult to gain electrons and so the non-metallic character decreases down the group.
• Hydrogen($\mathrm{H}$), Fluorine($\mathrm{F}$), Carbon($\mathrm{C}$), Nitrogen($\mathrm{N}$) are examples of nonmetals.

Hence, in a group, metallic character increases and non-metallic character decreases from top to bottom.