Question

Arrange the following elements in the increasing order of their metallic character.
Mg, Ca, K, Ge, Ga.
(a)- Ga < Ge < Mg < Ca < K
(b)- Ga < Ge < K < Mg < Ca
(c)- Ge < Ga < Mg < Ca < K
(d)- Ge < Ca < Ga < Mg < K

Answer 1

Hint: Metallic character of the element is the ability to form a positive ion by losing electrons. Most electropositive elements or metallic elements are placed on the left side of the periodic table.

Complete step by step answer:
The metallic character of the element is the ability to form a positive ion by losing electrons. As the element's tendency to form positive ions increases the metallic character increases. So, as to move along the period i.e., from left to right the metallic character decreases or we can say that the tendency of the element to form cation decreases, and the tendency of the element to form anion increases. But as we move down the group, the metallic character of the elements increases.
Most electropositive elements or metallic elements are placed on the left side of the periodic table.
So, potassium, magnesium, and calcium belong to the s-block, and gallium and germanium belong to the p-block. And p-block elements are less metallic than the s-block elements.
Now in germanium and gallium, gallium is more metallic because it belongs to group 13 and germanium belongs to group 14.
Among K, Mg, and Ca, K (potassium) will be more metallic because it is an alkali metal. Calcium will be more metallic than magnesium because calcium comes in period 4 of group 4 and magnesium comes in period 3 of group 2.
So, the overall order will be: Ge < Ga < Mg < Ca < K.
So, the correct answer is “Option C”.

Note: With the help of the metallic character trend we can observe the non-metallic character of elements as while moving left to right in a period, the non-metallic character increases and on moving down the group the non-metallic character decreases.