Showing posts with label Group 1. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Group 1. Show all posts

Sunday, 25 May 2014

2.8 explain the relative reactivities of the elements in Group 1 in terms of distance between the outer electrons and the nucleus

Reactivity of Group 1 metals

The metals in Group 1 increase in reactivity as you descend down the group. This is because of the distance between the outer electrons and the nucleus. 
In Group 1 all the atoms have 1 outer electrons. They don't want this electron so are trying to get rid of it to get a full outer shell. 
If the distance between the nucleus and the electron is small then there is a strong force of attraction so it's hard for it to give away its electron.
Similarly if the distance between the nucleus and the electron is great then there is a weaker force so it can give away its electron easily, thus being able to react easier with other atoms. It's more reactive.