Question

Describe two ways an atom of sodium is different from an atom of lithium

Answer 1

Answer:

Lithium and sodium are metals of the same group(I.e.1) as they have a single valence electron in their valence shell. However lithium has 3 shells(2,8,1)(gr. 3) whereas sodium has 2 shells(2,1)(gr. 2).

Answer 2

Answer:

differences are

1.Vol.(size) of Na is larger than Li

Reason: With the change in period, the new atom in the group adds an extra shell of electrons this in turn results in the increase in the size of the atoms.

2. Electropositive character of Na is more than Li (I.e. Na can donate electrons more easily than Li)

Reason: as one moves down in a group, an electron shell is added after every change of period .Thus,the positive charge within the nucleus holes the valence electrons of lithium more strongly than sodium .In other words the valence electrons are held very loosely in case of sodium than lithium thus sodium can lose electrons more easily and hence is more electropositive as compared to the Lithium which is less electropositive .In other words sodium is more metallic than Lithium 3.Sodium has a higher chemical reactivity rate than Lithium.

4.Lithium has higher boiling PT. and higher melting PT. than Na.