Question

why potassium and sodium are highly reactive​

Answer 1

• Potassium's valence electron is at a greater distance from the attractive nucleus and is so removed more easily than sodium's valence electron. As it is removed more easily, it requires less energy, and can be said to be more reactive.

• Sodium has one electron in the outermost electron shell and thus wants to give up one electron to a highly electronegative element. Within the alkali metals, sodium is more reactive than lithium but less reactive than potassium. When exposed to air, sodium oxidises immediately.

Answer 2

Potassium's valence electron is at a greater distance from the attractive nucleus and is so removed more easily than sodium's valence electron. As it is removed more easily, it requires less energy, and can be said to be more reactive.

Sodium has one electron in the outermost electron shell and thus wants to give up one electron to a highly electronegative element. Within the alkali metals, sodium is more reactive

than lithium but less reactive than potassium. When exposed to air, sodium oxidises immediately.

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