i.
Atoms
of metals tend to lose electrons, whereas those of non – metals tend to gain
them.
ii.
In
a period, as we go from left to right, atomic number increases, increasing the
number of electrons and protons.
iii.
These
additional electrons are placed in the same outer shell and are strongly
attracted towards the positively – charged nucleus.
iv.
This
strong attraction does not allow loss of electrons, causing metallic character
to decrease from left to right in a period.
