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The electron configuration is why they react.
The Alkali metals have one electron in their outer shell and to complete their outer shell need 7 more electrons. They can give, take or share electrons with other atoms.
This is when the Halogens come in handy. The Halogens have 7 electrons in their outer shells, and need one more to complete the outer shell.
These can react very easily because they have both the perfect amounts to fill their outer shells and become compounds. Other atoms with other amounts to become atoms not ions needs another element to react with.
Hope this helps, Matt.
Wiki User
∙ 16y ago
Wiki User
∙ 15y agoalkali and alkaline earth metals are very reactive because they only have a few electrons in their outer shells (one or two) so they are always wanting to bond with another atom to create a full outer shell (eight electrons).
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoThe alkali metal and alkaline earth metals are some of the most reactive elements. They have low ionization energies so they easily give up their electrons to the more electronegative elements.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agobecause of their valence shell electronic configuration.
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Why alkali metals are more reactive than alkaline earth metals?
All atoms want to do is make their valence shell full. In alkali metals they have all of their shells completely full except one valence electron. The alkali metals REALLY want to get rid of that electron, so they will react with many elements/compounds to get rid of that electron. In alkaline earth metals they have all of their shells completely full except for two valence electrons. They also want to get rid of those electrons but the alkaline earth metals are not as desperate to do so as the alkali earth metals which make the alkaline much less reactive than the alkali metals.
What are the reactions with alkali metals and water like?
1) Alkali metals are stored in oil to minimise reaction with oxygen or water, it's a physical barrier towards air but the alkali metals still gradually corrode a traces of oxygen and water diffuse through. The reaction of alkali metals with water gets more violent for elements lower in the group e.g. (Li < Na < K < Rb < Cs). Adding them to water will cause an explosion due to the extremely exothermic nature of reaction, and can be rather dangerous and some alkali metals can react violently with just moisture in the air. Most of the alkali metals float on the top of the water, depending on how big the alkali metal is determines the size of the reaction this is because they're less dense that water itself and also during the reaction the alkali metals give of hydrogen gas which is quite flammable. Alkali Metal + Water » Metallic Hydroxide + Hydrogen The francium would be like any other alkali metal, it would be very violent like the other alkali metals.
Is carbon an alkaline earth metal?
Flourine is not a Rare Earth Metal, but rather a Halogen, which is the second column from the right of the periodic table. Halogens react violently with Alkali Metals when heated and form stable compounds, usually salt like. Examples: Lithium + Flourine = Lithium Flouride Sodium + Chlorine = Sodium Chloride (Table salt)
Why do the alkaline earth metals react similarly?
All alkali earth metals have two valence electrons and they all form ions in +II oxidation state.
What are some of the properties shared by alkaline earth metals?
some are easily, all of them react with air which they tarnish quickly. lithium, potassium, rubidium , caesium and francium all ignite when they are placed in water. but overall there is nothing else i can really say from what i know. :-)
What two families of elements react easily with each other to form compounds?
Alkali metals and halogens.
Which group of metals do halogens usually bond with offer an explanation?
For example halogens easily react with alkali metals because both are very reactive; compounds are with ionic bonds.
What elements react the best with the alkali metals?
Non metals form ionic bonds with metals. Non metals gain the electrons while metals loose. Alkali metals reacts with halogen family in efficient manner.
Which group do alkali metals bond with?
Alkali metals are electropositive so they want to react with halogens which are more electronegative.
What happens when the alkali metals react with chlorine?
They metals are stored in oil to minimize the reactivity with air. When alkali metals react with air, they quickly tarnish after begin cut, they burn easily.
What group will react with alkali metals to form ionic bonds?
halogens (group 17) and oxygen family (group 16)
Was the alkali metals are very stable and no react easily with other elements?
No.
What two elements on the periodic table react violently?
Very reactive elements on the periodic table include the alkali and alkaline earth metals, the halogens, hydrogen, phosphorus, europium, and plutonium among others.
Where on the periodic table are element most likely to react with other elements which direction?
The most reactive elements are alkali metals and halogens.
How do alkali metals react with other alkali metals?
They don't
Do the halogens react with the alkali metals why or why not?
The electron configuration is why they react. The Alkali metals have one electron in their outer shell and to complete their outer shell need 7 more electrons. They can give, take or share electrons with other atoms. This is when the Halogens come in handy. The Halogens have 7 electrons in their outer shells, and need one more to complete the outer shell. These can react very easily because they have both the perfect amounts to fill their outer shells and become compounds. Other atoms with other amounts to become atoms not ions needs another element to react with. Hope this helps, Matt.
How do alkali metals react to cold water?
alkali metals react violently in cold water
