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larger than that of sodium
the same as that of sodium
smaller than that of sodium
variable

2006-11-02 04:03:53 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics Chemistry

2 answers

The larger the radius, the more weakly are the outer electrons held in any atom. K atoms are larger than Na atoms, and the K's outer electron is easier to remove, which makes it more reactive.

2006-11-02 04:35:31 · answer #1 · answered by Gervald F 7 · 1 0

In fact your statement is wrong, sodium is many times more reactive than potassium. It is easy to verify this just letting drop a small quantity of each, sodium immediately explodes in a flame burst, potassium as well but in a more slowly and moderate way.
Besides considering atomic radii you also have to consider the energy level of the outermost electron.

2006-11-02 04:51:30 · answer #2 · answered by lennier61 2 · 0 1

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