Questions on Metallic and Nonmetallic Character
Multiple-Choice Questions: Metallic and Nonmetallic Character
🔹 Basic Concepts
1. What is metallic character?
A) The ability to gain electrons easily
B) The ability to conduct electricity and lose electrons
C) The tendency to form covalent bonds
D) The strength of intermolecular forces
E) The resistance to corrosion
2. What is nonmetallic character?
A) The ability to conduct heat
B) The tendency to lose electrons
C) The ability to attract electrons and form negative ions
D) The presence of free electrons
E) The ability to deform under stress
3. Which of the following is a typical property of metals?
A) Brittle
B) Poor conductor
C) Dull appearance
D) Malleable and ductile
E) High electronegativity
4. Which of the following is a typical property of nonmetals?
A) Shiny and metallic
B) High melting point
C) Malleable
D) Poor conductor of electricity
E) Reacts by losing electrons
5. Which group in the periodic table shows the highest metallic character?
A) Group 1 (alkali metals)
B) Group 17 (halogens)
C) Group 18 (noble gases)
D) Group 14 (carbon group)
E) Group 2 (alkaline earth metals)
🔹 Periodic Trends
6. As you move from left to right across a period, metallic character:
A) Increases
B) Decreases
C) Remains constant
D) First increases, then decreases
E) Fluctuates irregularly
7. As you move down a group, metallic character:
A) Decreases
B) Increases
C) Remains unchanged
D) Increases only for nonmetals
E) Becomes unpredictable
8. Which element has the greatest metallic character?
A) Lithium
B) Beryllium
C) Cesium
D) Magnesium
E) Sodium
9. Which element has the greatest nonmetallic character?
A) Chlorine
B) Fluorine
C) Oxygen
D) Nitrogen
E) Bromine
10. What happens to nonmetallic character as you move across a period from left to right?
A) Decreases
B) Increases
C) Stays the same
D) Disappears
E) Reverses at the noble gases
🔹 Comparative Analysis
11. Which of the following is the least metallic?
A) Aluminum
B) Phosphorus
C) Sodium
D) Calcium
E) Potassium
12. Which of the following is the most metallic?
A) Boron
B) Silicon
C) Tin
D) Lead
E) Bismuth
13. Which of the following is the least nonmetallic?
A) Oxygen
B) Sulfur
C) Selenium
D) Tellurium
E) Fluorine
14. Why does metallic character increase down a group?
A) More electrons are added to inner shells
B) Valence electrons are held more loosely due to increased atomic size
C) Electrons are removed more easily
D) Both B and C
E) None of the above
15. Why does nonmetallic character decrease down a group?
A) Nuclear charge decreases
B) Atomic radius increases, reducing the attraction for electrons
C) Electrons are closer to the nucleus
D) Valence shells become more stable
E) Electron shielding decreases
🔹 Applications and Examples
16. Which of the following elements has both metallic and nonmetallic properties?
A) Silicon
B) Sodium
C) Fluorine
D) Iron
E) Chlorine
17. Which element is likely to be malleable and a good conductor?
A) Sulfur
B) Carbon
C) Phosphorus
D) Copper
E) Bromine
18. Which element would you expect to be brittle and a poor conductor?
A) Aluminum
B) Potassium
C) Sulfur
D) Zinc
E) Calcium
19. Which statement about metallic and nonmetallic characters is true?
A) Metals form anions and nonmetals form cations
B) Nonmetals are ductile and shiny
C) Metallic character increases from right to left across a period
D) Nonmetallic character increases down a group
E) Metals gain electrons in reactions
20. Which of the following best explains why metals are good conductors?
A) They form ionic bonds
B) They have loosely held electrons that move freely
C) They are shiny
D) Their nuclei are highly reactive
E) They have large atomic masses
Answers with Explanations
1. B – Metallic character involves the ability to conduct electricity and lose electrons.
2. C – Nonmetals attract electrons, forming negative ions (anions).
3. D – Metals are ductile and malleable and conduct heat/electricity.
4. D – Nonmetals are generally brittle and poor conductors.
5. A – Group 1 (alkali metals) are the most metallic elements.
6. B – Metallic character decreases across a period due to stronger nuclear attraction.
7. B – It increases down a group as atoms get larger and electrons are lost more easily.
8. C – Cesium is at the bottom of Group 1 and has the most metallic character.
9. B – Fluorine is the most nonmetallic (and most electronegative) element.
10. B – Nonmetallic character increases across a period.
11. B – Phosphorus is a nonmetal, so least metallic of the group.
12. D – Lead is lower in Group 14 and shows strong metallic character.
13. D – Tellurium is a metalloid, less nonmetallic than the others listed.
14. D – Larger atoms with more shielding hold outer electrons loosely, making electron loss (metallic behavior) easier.
15. B – Larger atomic radius and more shielding reduce attraction for new electrons.
16. A – Silicon is a metalloid, showing both types of properties.
17. D – Copper is a metal: shiny, ductile, and an excellent conductor.
18. C – Sulfur is a nonmetal: brittle and poor conductor.
19. C – Metallic character increases from right to left across a period.
20. B – Metals have delocalized electrons that move freely and conduct electricity.
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