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Alkali metals react by losing the single electron that is in their outer shell. For higher atomic numbers, that shell is farther from the positively-charged nucleus, so electric force on the electron is less. Atoms with higher atomic numbers also have more protons, so you might expect them to attract an electron with a stronger force, but the extra protons are balanced by extra electrons. The net charge attracting the electron is still the same as that of one proton.

Less energy is required to separate the outer-shell electron from the atom and cause it to react.

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14y ago
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6mo ago

The reactivity of alkali metals increases with increasing atomic number because the outermost electron in alkali metals is located in an orbital farther from the nucleus as you move down the group, making it easier to lose and participate in chemical reactions. Additionally, the atomic radius increases down the group, leading to lower ionization energy and higher reactivity.

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15y ago

the energy levels are further and further from the positive pull of the nucleus, so the electrons expand outward

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Q: Why does the reactivity of the alkali metals increase with increasing atomic number?
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What happens to the chemical reactivity of alkali metals as you increase atomic numbers?

The chemical reactivity of alkali metals increase when the atomic number increase.


Describe the Reactivity of group 1 element varies with increasing atomic number?

The reactivity of Group 1 elements increases with increasing atomic number. This is due to the fact that as atomic number increases, the outermost electron is farther away from the nucleus, making it easier to lose and therefore more reactive. Additionally, the size of the atom increases down the group, leading to a weaker attraction between the outermost electron and the nucleus, further enhancing reactivity.


What happens to the reactivity of halogens as you go down the group?

the reactivity of halogens goes on decreasing as we go down the group, because of increasing in atomic size of the respective element.


What happens to the reacivity of the alkali metals as you go down the group?

As you go down the group of alkali metals, the reactivity increases. This is because the outermost electron is further away from the nucleus, making it easier to lose and react with other substances. The larger size and lower ionization energy of the alkali metals further contribute to their increasing reactivity down the group.


What periodic trends of reactivity occur with the alkali metals?

Alkali metals become more reactive as you move down the group in the periodic table because atomic size increases, making it easier for the outermost electron to be lost. This is due to the decrease in ionization energy and increase in metallic character as you move down the group. Alkali metals react vigorously with water and oxygen, forming metal oxides and hydroxides.

Related questions

What happens to the chemical reactivity of alkali metals as you increase atomic numbers?

The chemical reactivity of alkali metals increase when the atomic number increase.


What is the reactivity for the halogens?

The reactivity of halogens decreases with increasing atomic number.


How can the Boer model of atomic structure be used to explain the reactivity of the alkali metals?

== ==


What patterns do you notice as you move down the groups on the Periodic Table?

As you move down the groups on the Periodic Table, you generally observe an increase in the number of electron shells, leading to an increase in atomic size. Additionally, there is a trend of increasing reactivity in alkali metals and decreasing reactivity in noble gases as you move down a group. The ionization energy often decreases as you move down a group due to the increase in atomic size and shielding effect.


Which is more reactive sodium or lithium or potassium?

Potassium is more reactive than lithium, which is more reactive than sodium. This trend is based on the alkali metal group's reactivity, with reactivity increasing as you move down the group due to the decreasing ionization energy and increasing atomic size.


What 4 alkali metals are the most reactive?

Alkali metals have increasing reactivity going down the group. Francium may not be considered as it is not a stable atom: it is radioactive. The next four are Cesium, Rubidium, Potassium and Sodium in decreasing reactivity order.


Which property of alkaline earth metal increases with increase in their atomic numbers?

reactivity


Describe the Reactivity of group 1 element varies with increasing atomic number?

The reactivity of Group 1 elements increases with increasing atomic number. This is due to the fact that as atomic number increases, the outermost electron is farther away from the nucleus, making it easier to lose and therefore more reactive. Additionally, the size of the atom increases down the group, leading to a weaker attraction between the outermost electron and the nucleus, further enhancing reactivity.


What happens to the reactivity of halogens as you go down the group?

the reactivity of halogens goes on decreasing as we go down the group, because of increasing in atomic size of the respective element.


What happens to the reacivity of the alkali metals as you go down the group?

As you go down the group of alkali metals, the reactivity increases. This is because the outermost electron is further away from the nucleus, making it easier to lose and react with other substances. The larger size and lower ionization energy of the alkali metals further contribute to their increasing reactivity down the group.


What happens to the reactivity of elements in group a as atomic number increase across a period?

they do becaused they want to do it


What periodic trends of reactivity occur with the alkali metals?

Alkali metals become more reactive as you move down the group in the periodic table because atomic size increases, making it easier for the outermost electron to be lost. This is due to the decrease in ionization energy and increase in metallic character as you move down the group. Alkali metals react vigorously with water and oxygen, forming metal oxides and hydroxides.