Relation between electronegativity and non-metallic character.

1. Relation between electronegativity and non-metallic character. +

Correct Answer

Electronegativity ∝ Non-metallic Character

Detailed Explanation

Electronegativity is the tendency of an atom in a chemical bond to attract the shared electron pair towards itself. Non-metallic character is the tendency of an element to accept electrons and form negative ions or participate in covalent bonding by attracting electrons. Therefore, both properties show a similar periodic trend.

Higher Electronegativity → Higher Non-metallic Character

An element that strongly attracts electrons generally exhibits stronger non-metallic behaviour.

Periodic Trend

Across a period:
Electronegativity generally increases from left to right, and non-metallic character also increases.

Left → Right
Electronegativity ↑    Non-metallic Character ↑

Down a group:
Electronegativity generally decreases from top to bottom, and non-metallic character also decreases.

Top → Bottom
Electronegativity ↓    Non-metallic Character ↓

Why Do They Show the Same Trend?

Across a period, effective nuclear charge increases and atomic radius generally decreases. The nucleus therefore attracts electrons more strongly. This causes:

Z_eff ↑ + Atomic Radius ↓
↓
Electron Attraction ↑
↓
Electronegativity ↑
↓
Non-metallic Character ↑

Down a group, the number of electron shells increases. Atomic size and shielding increase, so the attraction for additional electrons decreases. Hence:

Atomic Size ↑ + Shielding ↑
↓
Electronegativity ↓
↓
Non-metallic Character ↓

Example

Consider the second period:

Li < Be < B < C < N < O < F

The general trend is that both electronegativity and non-metallic character increase from Li → F. Fluorine has the highest electronegativity and is among the strongest non-metallic elements.

JEE / NEET Shortcut

Remember:

Non-metallic Character ↑ ⇔ Electronegativity ↑

Periodic-table direction:

Non-metallic Character:
↑ towards top-right

Metallic Character:
↑ towards bottom-left

Thus, the element at the top-right region generally shows strong non-metallic character.

Important Comparison

Property	Across Period	Down Group
Electronegativity	↑	↓
Non-metallic Character	↑	↓
Metallic Character	↓	↑

30 Related MCQs with Solutions

1. Non-metallic character generally increases with:

A. Decreasing electronegativity

B. Increasing electronegativity

C. Increasing atomic mass only

D. Increasing metallic radius

Answer: B. Increasing electronegativity

2. Electronegativity and non-metallic character show:

A. Direct relationship

B. Inverse relationship

C. No relationship

D. Random relationship

Answer: A. Direct relationship

3. Across a period, non-metallic character generally:

A. Increases

B. Decreases

C. Remains constant

D. First decreases then increases

Answer: A. Increases

4. Down a group, non-metallic character generally:

A. Increases

B. Decreases

C. Remains constant

D. Becomes zero always

Answer: B. Decreases

5. Electronegativity generally increases:

A. From right to left

B. From left to right

C. Down a group

D. Towards the bottom-left

Answer: B. From left to right

6. The highest non-metallic character is generally found towards:

A. Bottom-left

B. Top-right

C. Centre

D. Bottom-centre

Answer: B. Top-right

7. Which element is more non-metallic?

A. Na

B. Mg

C. Al

D. Cl

Answer: D. Cl

8. Which has greater electronegativity and non-metallic character?

A. C

B. N

C. Both equal

D. B

Answer: B. N

9. Non-metallic character is associated with the tendency to:

A. Lose electrons easily

B. Attract or gain electrons

C. Increase atomic size

D. Form only cations

Answer: B

10. Which property decreases along with non-metallic character down a group?

A. Electronegativity

B. Atomic radius

C. Shielding effect

D. Number of shells

Answer: A. Electronegativity

11. Which factor favours high non-metallic character?

A. Large atomic radius

B. High effective nuclear charge

C. High shielding

D. Low electronegativity

Answer: B

12. Which element is more non-metallic?

A. Li

B. Na

C. K

D. Rb

Answer: A. Li

13. In Group 17, non-metallic character generally:

A. Increases downward

B. Decreases downward

C. Remains constant

D. Becomes metallic immediately

Answer: B

14. Which has greater non-metallic character?

A. F

B. Cl

C. Br

D. I

Answer: A. F

15. Which trend correctly represents electronegativity?

A. ↑ down and ← across

B. ↑ towards top-right

C. ↑ towards bottom-left

D. Constant everywhere

Answer: B

16. Metallic and non-metallic character generally have:

A. Similar trends

B. Opposite trends

C. No trends

D. Identical values

Answer: B. Opposite trends

17. As atomic size decreases across a period, non-metallic character generally:

A. Increases

B. Decreases

C. Remains constant

D. Disappears

Answer: A

18. High electronegativity indicates:

A. Strong attraction for bonding electrons

B. Easy loss of electrons

C. Strong metallic character

D. Large atomic size

Answer: A

19. Which is the strongest non-metal among these?

A. Na

B. Mg

C. Si

D. Cl

Answer: D. Cl

20. Which combination favours non-metallic character?

A. Large radius + low Z_eff

B. Small radius + high Z_eff

C. Large radius + high shielding only

D. Low electronegativity

Answer: B

21. Which has greater non-metallic character?

A. O

B. S

C. Se

D. Te

Answer: A. O

22. Non-metallic character generally increases with:

A. Increasing metallic character

B. Increasing electron-attracting tendency

C. Increasing atomic radius only

D. Decreasing electronegativity

Answer: B

23. Which element has greater non-metallic character?

A. P

B. S

C. Both equal

D. Mg

Answer: B. S

24. The periodic trend of non-metallic character is approximately:

A. Bottom-left to top-right increases

B. Top-right to bottom-left increases

C. No systematic trend

D. Only vertical

Answer: A

25. Which property is generally highest for elements near fluorine?

A. Metallic character

B. Non-metallic character

C. Atomic radius

D. Electropositivity

Answer: B

26. Which statement is correct?

A. Higher electronegativity usually means higher non-metallic character

B. Higher electronegativity means higher metallic character

C. Both are unrelated

D. Non-metallic character increases down every group

Answer: A

27. Which element is most non-metallic among C, N, O and F?

A. C

B. N

C. O

D. F

Answer: D. F

28. Which character increases towards the upper-right of the periodic table?

A. Metallic

B. Non-metallic

C. Electropositive

D. Basic metallic character

Answer: B. Non-metallic

29. If electronegativity increases from A to B, the non-metallic character generally:

A. Increases

B. Decreases

C. Remains unchanged

D. Becomes metallic

Answer: A. Increases

30. The correct relation is:

A. Electronegativity ↑ → Non-metallic character ↓

B. Electronegativity ↑ → Non-metallic character ↑

C. Electronegativity has no relation to non-metallic character

D. Electronegativity ↑ → Metallic character ↑

Answer: B. Electronegativity ↑ → Non-metallic character ↑

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