2.4C: Explain the Trend in Reactivity in Group 1 in Terms of Electronic Configurations

ALKALI  METALS: Group 1 Metals that commonly Include Lithium, Sodium and Potassium

s

ELECTRONIC CONFIGURATION OF THE FIRST THREE ELEMENTS IN GROUP 1:

s

TREND IN REACTIVITY OF GROUP 1:
s

• Reactivity of Group 1 Metals increases as you go down the Group
• As each Element has only one Electron on their outer shell, they will react to lose one outer electron to form full outer shell of electrons
• As you go down Group 1, the number of shells of Electrons increases (period number increases down the periodic table), hence there are weaker electrostatic forces of attraction as the outer electron is further away from the Nucleus
• Less energy is needed to overcome the electrostatic forces of attraction between the Negatively Charged Electron and the Positively Charged Nucleus
• As Electrons can therefore be lost more easily, the reactivity of Group 1 Metals increases as you go down the Group