Q.Explain the diagonal relationship.

Step 1. Ordinarily, an element resembles the other members of its own group most closely. The diagonal relationship is the exception: certain second-period elements instead show a marked similarity to the THIRD-period element sitting diagonally below-and-to-the-right of them.

Step 2. The three classic examples are Li (Group 1, period 2) with Mg (Group 2, period 3); Be (Group 2, period 2) with Al (Group 13, period 3); and B (Group 13, period 2) with Si (Group 14, period 3). …

Define the diagonal relationship by its geometric rule (one group right, one period down) and give the standard th …

• Confusing the diagonal relationship with the ordinary same-group relationship, o …