Question

explain why is sodium less reactive than potassium?

Answer 1

The  potassium, the outermost electron is better shielded from the attractive force of the nucleus. It follows, therefore, that this outermost electron is more easily lost than it is insodium, so potassium can be converted to ionic form more readilythan sodium. Hence, potassium ismore reactive than sodium.

Answer 2

Potassium has one extra full electron than the noble gas electronic configuration between the nucleus and the outermost electron. Thus, in potassium, the outermost electron is better shielded from the attractive force of the nucleus. It follows, therefore, that this outermost electron is more easily lost than it is in sodium, so potassium can be converted to ionic form more readily than sodium. Hence, potassium is more reactive than sodium.
Secondly, on moving down the group, the
atomic size increases and the effective nuclear charge decreases.
Because of these factors, the outermost electron in potassium can be
lost easily as compared to sodium. Hence, potassium is more reactive
than sodium

When we move down the group then ionization enthalpy of element decreases means ease to release the electron increases that` s why K is more reactive then Na



Because the atomic size of k increases and the effective nuclear charge decreases thats why K is more reactive than Na