How would the tendency to lose electrons change as you go (i) from left to right across a period? (ii) down a group?

Question

(a) How would the tendency to lose electrons change as you go
(i) from left to right across a period?
(ii) down a group?
(b) An element X (2, 8, 2) combines separately with (NO₃)^-, (SO₄)^2- and (PO₄)^3- radicals. Write the formulae of the three compounds so formed. To which group of the periodic table does the element 'X' belong? Will it form covalent or ionic compound? Why?

Answer 1

(a) (i) Tendency to lose electrons decreases.
(ii) Increases.
(b) The three compounds are X(NO₃)₂, XSO₄ and X₃(PO₄)₂.
Valence electrons of element X is 2. Therefore, element X belongs to group 2. It will form ionic compounds because X loses 2 electrons to achieve the electronic configuration of inert gas and forms a positively,charged ion.