Periodic Classification of Elements — Science STD 10 — Question

As we move from left to right in a period, the number of valence electrons increases by one at each succeeding element but number of shells remains same. Due to this, effective nuclear charge increases. More is the effective nuclear charge, more is the attraction between the nucleus and electron. Hence, the tendency of the element to lose electrons decreases. This results in decrease in metallic character. Furthermore, the tendency of an element to gain electrons increases with increase in effective nuclear charge, so non- metallic character increases on moving from left to right in a period.