(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?