P,Q,R and S are metals in the same group in the Periodic Table but in periods 3,4, 5 and 6 respectively which of them loses electrons least readily?

Answer Details

The elements in the same group of the periodic table have the same number of valence electrons. Valence electrons are the electrons located in the outermost shell of an atom that are involved in chemical bonding. The valence electrons determine the reactivity and chemical properties of an element. In this case, all four metals are in the same group and have the same number of valence electrons. However, as we move from left to right across a period, the atomic radius decreases and the effective nuclear charge (the attractive force experienced by the valence electrons from the nucleus) increases. This makes it harder for the valence electrons to be removed from the atom, so the ionization energy (the energy required to remove an electron) increases. Therefore, S, which is in period 6 and has the highest effective nuclear charge, loses electrons least readily. The correct answer is S.