Which of the following combination of elements is the most reactive?

(1 point)
Cs and I
K and I
Na and Br
Cs and Br

1 answer

The reactivity of alkali metals and halogens generally increases as you go down the periodic table for alkali metals and up for halogens.

Among the combinations given:

  • Cs (cesium) and I (iodine): Cesium is a very reactive alkali metal, and iodine is a reactive halogen.
  • K (potassium) and I (iodine): Potassium is also a reactive alkali metal, but cesium is more reactive than potassium.
  • Na (sodium) and Br (bromine): Sodium is less reactive than both cesium and potassium; bromine is a halogen.
  • Cs (cesium) and Br (bromine): This combination involves a highly reactive alkali metal (cesium) and a halogen (bromine).

Considering that cesium is the most reactive alkali metal and both iodine and bromine are reactive halogens, the most reactive combination overall would be Cs and I or Cs and Br. However, cesium with iodine is generally considered to be more reactive than with bromine due to iodine being a larger and more electronegative halogen.

Therefore, the most reactive combination is Cs and I.