Class 9

9.3.7 Electropositive Character of Metals and Electronegative Character of Non-Metals

This is the seventh lecture from Chapter 3: “Chemical Bonding” in the new Class 9 Chemistry book (Punjab Board – PCTB). It discusses the electropositive character of metals as well as electronegative character of non-metals. The lecture also includes a multiple-choice quiz, short question and long question notes.

MCQs Based Quiz

9.3.7 Electropositive Character of Metals and Electronegative Character of Non-Metals

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Which of the following has the highest electropositive character?

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Which of the following has the highest electronegative character?

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The reaction of alkali metals with water produces:

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The reaction of alkali metals with halogens produces:

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Alkali metals react with acids to form:

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Which of the following statements is NOT true for alkali metals

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Which of the following statements IS TRUE for alkaline earth metals

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Short Questions

Q1. Define electropositive character of metals.

Tendency of metals to lose electrons and become cations is called their electropositive character.

Q2. Define electronegative character of non-metals.

Tendency of non-metals to gain electron(s) and become anions is called their electronegative character.

Q3. Give some examples of reactions that alkali metals can undergo.

  1. They react quickly with water and halogens to give hydroxide and halides.
  2. They also react with acids to produce salt and hydrogen.

Q4. Compare the electropositive character of alkaline earth metals with that of alkali metals.

Alkaline earth metals are less electropositive than alkali metals because they cannot lose their outermost electrons as easily as alkali metals. As a result, their reactions with water and halogens are also relatively slower.

Q5. Is aluminum an electropositive element?

Yes, aluminium is an electropositive element. It reacts with mineral acids to form salts and hydrogen gas

Q6. Name some highly electronegative elements.

Fluorine is the most electronegative element, followed by oxygen, nitrogen and chlorine.

Q7. How would a non-metal react with other non-metals and a metal?

A non-metal reacts with other non-metal and forms a molecular compound with a covalent bond. It can also react with metals to make ionic compounds with ionic bonds.

Descriptive Question

Q1. Write a detailed note on electropositive character of metals and electronegative character of non-metals.

Electropositive Character of Metals:

Tendency of metals to lose electrons and become cations is called their electropositive character.

Metals that can easily lose electron(s) are considered more reactive. Based on this property, metals are divided into three categories.

Highly electropositive metals:

Alkali metals (Na, K, etc.) have very high electropositive character. Therefore, they undergo reactions very quickly.

  • Sodium (Na) and potassium (K) react very quickly with water and halogens to form hydroxides and halides.
  • They also react with acids to produce salts and hydrogen gas.

Moderately Electropositive Metals:

Alkaline earth metals (Mg, Ca, etc.) are less electropositive than alkali metals

  • They do not lose electrons as readily.
  • Their reactions towards water and halogens are slow.

Less Electropositive Metals:

Aluminium is also an electropositive metal.

  • Its reactivity is less than that of alkaline earth metals.
  • It reacts with mineral acids to form salts and hydrogen.

Electronegative Character of Non-Metals:

Tendency of non-metals to gain electron(s) and become anions is called their electronegative character.

  • Fluorine is the most electronegative element, followed by oxygen, nitrogen and chlorine.
  • Non-metals easily react with metals to form ionic bonds.
  • They also combine with other non-metals forming covalent bonds and molecular compounds.