Question

Which of the following elements is most metallic?
A) P
B) As
C) Sb
D) Bi

Answer 1

Hint: As we know that in the periodic table when we move from top to bottom, the metallic character of the element is increased.

Complete answer:
> Metallic nature is recalled as metalism of an element that can easily give away its outermost electron. For example Sodium is a very good element, it has one electron in its outermost shell and it participates in chemical reaction sharing, because doing so it can complete their octet. If there is an element which easily gives away their outermost electron, then it is going to be more metallic in nature. Whereas if there is another element that requires some efforts to give away the outermost electron, there it is going to be less metallic in nature.
> Electron shielding causes the atomic radius to increase thus the outer electrons ionizes more readily than electron smaller atoms. And going left to right in the periodic table metallic character decreases this is caused by the decrease in radius of the atom that allows the outer electrons to ionize more readily.
> Metallic character shows the reactivity of a metal. It is related to the ability to lose electrons, and nonmetallic character related to the ability to gain electrons. In the given elements, P has less metallic character and Bi has most metallic character. The increase of metallic character is Bi > Sb > As > P.

Therefore, the correct answer is D.

Note: Metallic character is measured by the rest of the element to give away its valence electron. They depend on the effective nuclear charge and distance from the nucleus. Those elements which have low electronegativity tend to have more metallic properties.