Question

Which of the following is arranged in order of increasing metallic character? (a) \(PM g

Short answer

Option (d) ewline is correct as it correctly represents the increase in metallic character.

Step-by-step solution

Understand Metallic Character

Metallic character refers to how easily an atom can lose an electron. It increases as we move down a group and decreases as we move across a period from left to right in the Periodic Table. Elements with greater metallic character are more likely to lose electrons and form positive ions.

Analyze Each Option

To determine which sequence correctly represents the increasing metallic character, we should move from the element with the least tendency to lose electrons to the element with the greatest tendency. Recognize that within a period, the metallic character decreases from left to right, and within a group, it increases from top to bottom.

Evaluate Option (a)

In option (a), 'P', 'Si', and 'Na' are in the same period with 'Na' being the most metallic given it's furthest to the left. 'Be' and 'Mg' are in the same group with 'Mg' below 'Be', so 'Mg' is more metallic. However, 'Si' is less metallic than 'Na' which is incorrect in this order.

Evaluate Option (b)

In option (b), 'Be' and 'Mg' are correct in increasing metallic nature, but 'P', 'Na', and 'Si' are not in the correct order as 'Si' should be more metallic than 'P' and less than 'Na'.

Evaluate Option (c)

Option (c) is not arranged in increasing order as 'Si' is to the left of 'Be' in the periodic table and should be more metallic. Additionally, 'Mg' is lower than 'Be' in the same group and should be more metallic.

Evaluate Option (d)

In option (d), the metallic character increases from 'P' to 'Na' as 'P' is a nonmetal, 'Si' is a metalloid, 'Be' and 'Mg' are alkaline earth metals, and 'Na' is an alkali metal, which fits the trend that metallic character increases down a group and decreases across a period.

Key concepts

Periodic Table

The Periodic Table is a tabular arrangement of chemical elements, ordered by their atomic number, electron configuration, and recurring chemical properties. It's divided into periods (horizontal rows) and groups (vertical columns), with elements exhibiting similar behavior placed in the same group.

Understanding the layout of the Periodic Table is crucial for studying the properties of elements, including their metallic character. For instance, within a period, moving left to right, elements become less metallic due to an increase in electron negativity and ionization energy. Conversely, moving down a group, elements become more metallic as the atomic size increases and the outer electrons are further from the nucleus, making them easier to lose during chemical reactions.

When dealing with problems involving the arrangement of elements based on metallic character, it's essential to look at their positions on the Periodic Table. This offers clues about whether an element is more likely to lose electrons and behave as a metal or gain electrons and act as a nonmetal.

Chemical Elements

Chemical elements are pure substances consisting entirely of one type of atom, characterized by a unique number of protons in the nucleus known as the atomic number. They are the building blocks of matter and can be classified into metals, nonmetals, and metalloids based on their physical and chemical properties.

Metals tend to be lustrous, malleable, ductile, and are good conductors of heat and electricity. Nonmetals, on the other end of the spectrum, are usually brittle (if solid), lack luster, and are poor conductors. Metalloids exhibit a mix of both metallic and nonmetallic properties.

When assessing metallic character, it's useful to remember that each element has a tendency to either lose electrons and form cations, typical of metals, or gain electrons to form anions, characteristic of nonmetals. How readily an element does this is deeply rooted in where it is found on the Periodic Table.

Metals and Nonmetals

Differentiating between metals and nonmetals is fundamental for understanding the concepts of metallic character. Metals are typically found on the left and in the center of the Periodic Table, whereas nonmetals are found to the right. A zig-zag line running from boron to astatine often demarcates metals from nonmetals, with elements just to the right of the line being metalloids.

The exercise mentioned is a straightforward application of these principles. Increasing metallic character implies moving from elements that are less likely to lose electrons (nonmetals) through metalloids, to those that readily lose electrons to become cations (metals). In the case of option (d), this progression from 'P' (a nonmetal) through 'Si' (a metalloid) to 'Na' (a metal) is correctly shown according to the known periodic trends.

By solidifying the understanding of the physical and chemical behaviors of metals and nonmetals, students can navigate related exercises with greater ease.