How does metallic character change across a period?

Question

Luna Chen · Accepted Answer

To a first approximation, ALL the elements are metallic.........With the exception of hydrogen, non-metals lie on the right hand side of the Periodic Table as we face it.

Look at the Periodic Table. Most of the elements are metals, i.e. most of the elements are NON-MOLECULAR materials in which the valence electrons are delocalized across the entire lattice such that the bulk material is malleable, and ductile, and TEND to form CATIONS - all metallic properties. Of course, a few of the elements are non-metallic, and (sometimes) molecular materials, whose higher nuclear charge tends to polarize electron density, giving chemically oxidizing species species - certainly this is true of non-metallic oxygen and fluorine.

Peyton Adams · Answer

undefined The metallic character generally decreases across a period from left to right. This is because as you move across a period, the number of valence electrons increases, leading to stronger attraction between the valence electrons and the nucleus, resulting in a higher ionization energy and decreased metallic character.