For each of the following pairs of elements explain which one would be more reactive than the other and why.?

Question

a) Sodium and cesium
b) Potassium and bromine

Answer 1

Cesium is more reactive than sodium. Cesium is bigger than sodium, so it can be ionized much easier than sodium. The metallic bonding in cesium is weaker, so it is much softer than sodium. Reaction of cesium with water is much faster than sodium with water.

Potassium is more reactive than bromine. Potassium cannot be placed in water without an exothermic reaction taking place in which hydrogen gas is produced and the heat of the reaction ignites the hydrogen gas as it forms. Bromine can be placed in water and no reaction will take place immediately, although it can eventually be oxidized to BrO-, but the reaction is slow. So, the alkali metal is more reactive than bromine. Although I will not recommend handling either without the proper precautions, both are dangerous chemicals. Bromine gas, if inhaled can result in severe damage to the lungs, so when bromine is handled, it should be at low temperature, so as to minimize exposure to bromine gas, since liquid bromine evaporates rather easily.

Answer 2

Caesium is much more violent in its reactions than sodium, principally because of its lower ionisation energy.

There is no way that potassium, a reactive metal, can be properly compared with bromine, a reactive non-metal.

Answer 3

a million. Cl desires one electron to end its outermost potential point at the same time as argon's outermost potential lever is stuffed with electrons 2. a. comparable - team a million components b. comparable - team 2 components c. diverse - team a million and team 7 d. comparable - team 8 e. diverse - team a million and team 6