Little is known about the properties of astatine, At, because of its rarity and high radioactivity. Nevertheless, it is possible for us to make many predictions about its properties. (b) Would you expect At to be a metal, nonmetal, or metalloid? Explain.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Identify the position of astatine (At) on the periodic table. Astatine is in Group 17, which is also known as the halogens.
2. Step 2: Understand the general properties of elements in Group 17. Halogens are typically nonmetals, which means they tend to gain electrons in chemical reactions and have high electronegativities and ionization energies.
3. Step 3: Consider the trend in metallic character across a period. As you move from left to right across a period on the periodic table, the metallic character of the elements decreases. This is because the number of protons in the nucleus increases, pulling the electrons closer to the nucleus and making it harder for the atom to lose an electron and exhibit metallic properties.
4. Step 4: Combine the information from steps 2 and 3. Given that astatine is a halogen and is located on the right side of the periodic table, it is expected to behave as a nonmetal.
5. Step 5: However, keep in mind that astatine is also the heaviest halogen, and heavier elements can sometimes display properties that deviate from the trends. Therefore, while it is most likely a nonmetal, it could potentially display some metalloid properties.

Key Concepts

Periodic Trends

Periodic trends refer to the predictable patterns in the properties of elements as you move across or down the periodic table. These trends include atomic size, ionization energy, and electronegativity, which help in predicting whether an element is likely to behave as a metal, nonmetal, or metalloid based on its position in the table.

Metallic Character

Metallic character describes the tendency of an element to exhibit properties typical of metals, such as conductivity, malleability, and luster. Generally, metallic character increases as you move down a group in the periodic table and decreases across a period from left to right, influencing whether an element like astatine is expected to be metallic.

Radioactivity and Stability

Radioactivity refers to the process by which unstable atomic nuclei lose energy by emitting radiation. Astatine is highly radioactive, which affects its stability and the types of chemical bonds it can form. Understanding the implications of radioactivity is crucial for predicting the behavior of astatine in chemical reactions and its classification as a metal, nonmetal, or metalloid.