On moving across a period from left to right, the non-metallic characterIncreasesDecreasesFirst increases then decreasesRemains constant

Understanding Non-Metallic Character Across a Period

When examining the periodic trends in the periodic table, it's important to highlight how the non-metallic character of elements varies as you move across a period (from left to right).

1. Trend of Non-Metallic Character: As you move across a period, the atomic number increases, leading to an increase in the nuclear charge. This tends to draw the electrons closer to the nucleus and engages more effectively with incoming electrons.

2. Elements on the Periodic Table: On the left side of the periodic table, we encounter metals, which have a tendency to lose electrons. These elements have a more metallic character. As we then move to the right side, we find non-metals that exhibit a tendency to gain electrons.

3. Conclusion: Thus, the non-metallic character increases as one moves from left to right across a period.

Final Answer

The non-metallic character Increases as you move across a period from left to right.