Question

In the Periodic Table, how does the metallic character of the elements vary from left to right across a period?
(A) It decreases.
(B) It increases.
(C) It increases then decreases.
(D) It stays the same.

Answer 1

We know that the metallic character of any element is related to the tendency of elements to lose electrons in a chemical reaction. Elements are placed in periodic tables in such a manner that they follow a trend of metallic character while moving left to right, right to left in a period or bottom to top or top to bottom in a group.

Complete answer:
When we go from left to right of the periodic table, i.e., across the period, the metallic character of the corresponding metal atom decreases. This can be explained as follows: On moving from left to right across the periodic table, electrons get added to the same shell. Due this additional increase in the no. of electrons, the nucleus attracts the electrons more strongly. Hence, an additional increase in the no. of electrons, the nucleus attracts the electrons more strongly.greater force of attraction, effective nuclear charge is felt by the nucleus. This ultimately results in a decrease in the size of the atom. Consequently, the energy required to remove the outermost electron is too high and hence, the atom is not able to lose the electron more readily.
Therefore, correct answer is Option A, i.e. In the Periodic Table, the metallic character of the elements vary from left to right across a period decreases.

Additional Information:
Also the complete opposite situation takes place when we go down the group in the periodic table. As we go down the group, there is an increase in the no. of shell and each electron now gets added in the new shell. Now, as the distance of the outermost electron from the nucleus increases.

Note:
Remember that Metallic character increases as we move down a group in the periodic table. The reason behind the increase of metallic character down the group is that when we move down in a group the atomic radius of elements increases and the elements lose electrons very easily as there will be less attraction between the nucleus and the valence electron because of their large radius.