The positions of three elements A, B and C in the periodic table are shown below:

Group 16

Group 17

—

—

—

A

—

—

B

C

(a) State whether A is a metal or non-metal.

(b) State whether C is more reactive or less reactive than A.

(c) Will C be larger or smaller in size than B?

(d) Which type of ion, cation or anion, will be formed by element A ?

Question

The positions of three elements A, B and C in the periodic table are shown below:

Group 16

Group 17

—

—

—

A

—

—

B

C

(a) State whether A is a metal or non-metal.

(b) State whether C is more reactive or less reactive than A.

(c) Will C be larger or smaller in size than B?

(d) Which type of ion, cation or anion, will be formed by element A ?

Philoid · Accepted Answer

(a) Metallic character of elements decrease as we move horizontally left to right in the periodic table. The element A belongs to group 17 which is on the right side of the periodic table. Hence, element A does not show metallic character. It is a non-metal.

(b) The chemical reactivity decreases on going down in a group. Thus, element C is less reactive than element A.

(c) The atomic size decrease on going from left to right in a period. Hence, the atom of C will be smaller in size than an atom of B.

(d) Element A belongs to group 17 which has 7 valence electrons. It needs one electron to get noble gas configuration. So, it will accept 1 electron and form a negatively charged ion, A^-. The negatively vahrged ion is called an anion. Thus, element A will form an anion.