What is the trend in reactivity of alkali metals down the group? (2022)
Practice Questions
Q1
What is the trend in reactivity of alkali metals down the group? (2022)
Increases
Decreases
Remains constant
Varies irregularly
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
What is the trend in reactivity of alkali metals down the group? (2022)
Step 1: Understand what alkali metals are. They are the elements in Group 1 of the periodic table, including lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, and francium.
Step 2: Know that reactivity refers to how easily an element can lose an electron to form a positive ion.
Step 3: Learn about ionization energy. This is the energy required to remove an electron from an atom.
Step 4: Realize that as you move down the group from lithium to francium, the size of the atoms increases.
Step 5: Understand that larger atoms have their outermost electron further from the nucleus, which makes it easier to remove that electron.
Step 6: Recognize that because it is easier to remove the outer electron, the ionization energy decreases as you go down the group.
Step 7: Conclude that since the ionization energy decreases, the reactivity of alkali metals increases down the group.
