Lithium is more metallic than beryllium. Give reason.

Explanation

In lithium the valence electron (in L-shell) is attracted by three protons of the nucleus, whereas in beryllium the valence electrons present in L-shell are attracted by four protons in its nucleus. Therefore,
• It is easier to remove a valence electron from the lithium atom than to remove an electron from the valence shell of a beryllium atom.
• Since the metallic character of an element depends on the ease with which an electron can be removed from its valence shell, lithium is more metallic than beryllium.