What happens to reactivity as you go down group 1 in the periodic table?

As you go down the group, what changes? The number of shells.

As you go down the group, what doesn't change? The number of electrons in the outer shell - it is always one.

For group 1, they become reactive when they can lose that electron. It is easier to lose it as the electron moves further away from the nucleus as the attraction is weaker. Therefore, reactivity increases down the group as the electron is further away.

Always remember NASA: nucleur charge, atomic radius, shielding and attraction.

Answered by Divya V. Chemistry tutor

6390 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Explain electrophilic aromatic substitution?


Define Electronegativity


Explain the difference between homolytic fission and heterolytic fission.


How do you describe the process of recrystallisation to purify a product?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo
Cookie Preferences