The way alkali metals react is all about their outer electrons. Let’s break it down simply:
One Outer Electron: Every alkali metal has just one electron in its outer layer. They really want to get rid of this electron to be more stable.
Reactivity Goes Up as You Go Down: If you look at the alkali metals from lithium to cesium, you will see that their outer electron gets farther away from the center of the atom (the nucleus).
Easier to Lose: Because this outer electron is farther away, the grip on it is weaker. This makes it easier for these metals to lose that electron and react with other elements.
So, the more layers of electrons there are, the less attraction there is to that outer electron. That’s why they react more!
The way alkali metals react is all about their outer electrons. Let’s break it down simply:
One Outer Electron: Every alkali metal has just one electron in its outer layer. They really want to get rid of this electron to be more stable.
Reactivity Goes Up as You Go Down: If you look at the alkali metals from lithium to cesium, you will see that their outer electron gets farther away from the center of the atom (the nucleus).
Easier to Lose: Because this outer electron is farther away, the grip on it is weaker. This makes it easier for these metals to lose that electron and react with other elements.
So, the more layers of electrons there are, the less attraction there is to that outer electron. That’s why they react more!