Give reasons :

(i) Inert gases do not form ions.

(ii) Ionization potential increases across a period — left to right.

In Period 3 of the Periodic Table, element B is placed to the left of element A. On the basis of this information, choose the correct word from the brackets to complete the following statements:

(i) The element B would have (lower/higher) metallic character than A.

(ii) The element A would probably have (lesser/higher) electron affinity than B.

(iii) The element A would have (greater/smaller) atomic size than B.

Fill in the blank:
In Period 3, the most metallic element is …………….. (sodium / magnesium / aluminium)

Give the appropriate term defined by the statement given :

The tendency of an atom to attract electrons towards itself when combined in a covalent compound.