Which of these metals loses electons most readily?

Question

Answers:
A.) calcium
B.) Magnesium
C.) Cesium
D.) Sodium

Answer 1

I'm pretty certain that it's Cesium. Look up information on periodic trends to understand more.

Here's a website to get you started: http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Lab/4097/chem/chap4/periodictrends.html

Answer 2

It is Cesium.

Calcium and Magnesium are in the second group so they are more likely to lose an electron than Sodium so they automatically eliminate Na.

Cesium is in the first group too so at first thought you would think to eliminate that one too BUT look at the order that Cesium is in. It is in the 6th order. This tells you that Cesium is a VERY large atom. Being so big means that it has no problem losing an electron. After it loses that electron, it becomes very stable with the electron configuration of Xenon.

Another way to determine the answer, ie: in a test where you are given a periodic table, is to simply look at the electronegativity of the atoms. The higher the number, the MORE it wants an electron, so it is LESS likely to give one up.

Answer 3

Cesium. Look at it on a periodic table. The farther to the left and bottom an element is, the more likely it is to give up an electron. All of the elements on the left have only 1 electron on their outside, so they want to give it up fast. As you go down, they are more volatile. Francium (below cesium) is radioactive.

Answer 4

I would say sodium, just because it is an easy element to make a compound with.

After that, Magnesium.

Answer 5

Just a guess. Magnesium.