Consider the elements N, P, O, S, Cl and F. The number of valence electrons present in the elements with most and least metallic character

Q. Consider the elements N, P, O, S, Cl and F. The number of valence electrons present in the elements with most and least metallic character from the above list is respectively.

A. 7 and 5
B. 6 and 7
C. 5 and 7
D. 5 and 6

Correct Answer: 5 and 7

Solution

Metallic character increases down a group and decreases from left to right across a period.

Among the given elements N, P, O, S, Cl and F, phosphorus (P) lies below nitrogen in group 15 and hence shows the highest metallic character in the given list.

Phosphorus belongs to group 15, therefore it has 5 valence electrons.

Fluorine (F) lies at the extreme right of period 2 and is the most electronegative element. Hence, it shows the least metallic character.

Fluorine belongs to group 17 and has 7 valence electrons.

Therefore, the required numbers of valence electrons are 5 and 7 respectively.

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