Question

Which of the following has the least metallic character?
A.C
B.Si
C.Ge
D.Sn

Answer 1

Hint: On moving down the group from carbon to tin, the metallic character increases. It is basically defined as the easiness of the atom in losing electrons. The metallic character increases down the group because atomic radius increases.

Complete step by step answer:
-Transition metals show metallic character because they have low ionization energies and have several vacant orbitals in their outermost shell and this property favors the formation of metallic bonds in the transition metals and they exhibit typical metallic properties.
-Moreover, according to the modern periodic table, the metallic character of an element decreases while moving from left to right across a period. This is because the number of electrons and protons in an atom increases and further, this causes an increase in the nuclear force on the electrons and hence, losing electrons becomes difficult whereas while moving down the group, the metallic character increases. This is because the atomic radius increases and hence it becomes easier to lose electrons. So, form the given options, carbon has the least metallic character.

Hence, option A is correct.

Note:
The d-orbitals which contain the unpaired electrons, may overlap and then form covalent bonds. Higher the number of unpaired electrons present in the transition metals, more is the number of covalent bonds formed by them and this further increases the hardness and strength of the metal.