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2006-11-16 08:29:52 · 7 answers · asked by Angel Eve 6 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
I actually meant why are alkali metals more reactive than Alkali Earth metals...
2006-11-16 08:37:07 · update #1
The alkali metals, found in group 1 of the periodic table (formerly known as group IA), are very reactive metals that do not occur freely in nature. These metals have only one electron in their outer shell. Therefore, they are ready to lose that one electron in ionic bonding with other elements. As with all metals, the alkali metals are malleable, ductile, and are good conductors of heat and electricity. The alkali metals are softer than most other metals. Cesium and francium are the most reactive elements in this group. Alkali metals can explode if they are exposed to water.
The alkaline earth elements are metallic elements found in the second group of the periodic table. All alkaline earth elements have an oxidation number of +2, making them very reactive. Because of their reactivity, the alkaline metals are not found free in nature.
2006-11-16 08:54:16 · answer #1 · answered by buggerhead 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An alkali metal has only 1 electron in its outer electron shell, while an alkali earth metal has 2. Example of alkali metal:Sodium. Example of alkali earth metal:Calcium.
The outer shell with a single electron has a greater tendency to lose that electron(has a higher ionization potential) than that with 2. Hence. the sodium atom forms a stronger electrovalent bond than the calcium.
2006-11-16 16:48:55 · answer #2 · answered by JIMBO 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Alkali metals only require losing one valence electron...alkaline earth metals need to lose two.
2006-11-16 16:32:06 · answer #3 · answered by lovealegna 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
they contain Alkali, which makes the metal softer, therefore, more reactive.
2006-11-16 16:37:38 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
its very simple it the amout of protons and electrons that the atom contains. 2 outer electrons to 1 requires more energy to break off that second electron I believe the amount of energy required to do such is consisdered to be called electron affinity
2006-11-16 16:33:14 · answer #5 · answered by gordon_benbow 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i think theyre just less stable because they only have to lose 1 electron instead of 2 to balance their charge, im not sure what the exact meachanism is though
2006-11-16 16:32:49 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
smart way to get the home work done! cleaver! im a do the same think at lvl 7
2006-11-17 17:27:22 · answer #7 · answered by butter 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋