You most likely think of water as a problem that have the right to put out fires. Yet some aspects are for this reason reactive the they burn in water. In fact, they essentially explode in water. An example is shownin the picture below. About 3 pounds of sodium were added to water, and the result was one explosive reaction. Why is sodium such a reactive element? In this section, friend will discover out.
You are watching: Most reactive metal in periodic table
The first Group
Sodium \(\left( \ceNa \right)\) is an element in group 1 the the regular table of the elements. This group (column) that the table is shown below. It has the nonmetal hydrogen \(\left( \ceH \right)\) and six metals referred to as alkali metals. Elements in the same group of the regular table have actually the same variety of valence electrons. These space the electrons in the outer energy level the the atoms that deserve to be connected in jajalger2018.orgical reactions. Valence electron determine countless of the properties of one element, so elements in the same team have comparable properties. Every the elements in team 1 have actually just one valence electron. This provides them an extremely reactive.
Reactivity of group 1 Elements
Hydrogen is a really reactive gas, and the alkali metals are even much more reactive. In fact, they room the most reactive steels and, in addition to the facets in group 17, are the most reactive of every elements. The reactivity the alkali metals rises from the top to the bottom that the group, therefore lithium \(\left( \ceLi \right)\) is the the very least reactive alkali metal and also francium \(\left( \ceFr \right)\) is the many reactive. Due to the fact that alkali steels are for this reason reactive, they are discovered in nature only in combination with various other elements. Castle often incorporate with group 17 elements, i m sorry are very "eager" to gain an electron.
Other properties of Alkali Metals
Besides being an extremely reactive, alkali steels share a number of other properties:
Alkali metals are every solids in ~ room temperature. Alkali steels are low in density, and also some of lock float ~ above water. Alkali steels are fairly soft. Part are also soft sufficient to reduced with a knife, favor the sodium pictured in the number below.See more: How Much Does A Ferret Cost At Petsmart? The Ultimate Beginner'S Guide
