Multiple choice

On moving left to right across a period, the non-metallic character of the elements:

  1. decreases

  2. increases

  3. remains same

  4. depends on the particular period
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Non-metallic character refers to the tendency of an atom to gain one or more electrons. On the left side of the periodic table, the elements having 1, 2 or 3 electrons in their outermost shell tend to lose them, thus exhibiting metallic character. On the right of it, the elements have 5, 6, or 7 electrons in their outermost shell, having a tendency to gain one or more electrons to be most stable, which is being non-metal. So, non-metallic character increases from left to right in a period.

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