In which directions on the periodic table does metallic character (metal reactivity) generally increase?

• A. Down a group and to the left across a period
• B. Up a group and to the right across a period
• C. Down a group and to the right across a period
• D. Up a group and to the left across a period

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that metallic character refers to how readily an element can lose electrons to form positive ions, which is related to metal reactivity.
2. Recall that as you move down a group in the periodic table, atomic size increases, making it easier for atoms to lose electrons, so metallic character increases down a group.
3. Recall that as you move from left to right across a period, atoms hold their electrons more tightly due to increasing nuclear charge, so metallic character decreases across a period from left to right.
4. Combine these trends: metallic character increases down a group and decreases from left to right across a period, meaning it increases to the left across a period.
5. Therefore, the direction in which metallic character generally increases is down a group and to the left across a period.