Question
Based on its location on the periodic table, which metal is likely to be less reactive than rubidium and more reactive than calcium?
potassium (K)
cesium (Cs)
magnesium (Mg)
titanium (Ti)
potassium (K)
cesium (Cs)
magnesium (Mg)
titanium (Ti)
Answers
GPT-4o mini
To determine which metal is less reactive than rubidium (Rb) and more reactive than calcium (Ca), we need to consider the reactivity trends of the alkali metals and alkaline earth metals on the periodic table.
- **Rubidium (Rb)** is an alkali metal located in group 1, and it is more reactive than sodium (Na) and potassium (K), which are also alkali metals.
- **Calcium (Ca)** is an alkaline earth metal located in group 2, and it is less reactive than alkali metals but more reactive than many transition metals.
Now, let's consider the options provided:
1. **Potassium (K)**: This is an alkali metal and is more reactive than rubidium, so it does not fit our criteria.
2. **Cesium (Cs)**: This is also an alkali metal and is more reactive than rubidium, so it is not the correct choice.
3. **Magnesium (Mg)**: This is an alkaline earth metal. It is less reactive than calcium because it is above calcium in group 2.
4. **Titanium (Ti)**: This is a transition metal and would generally be less reactive than calcium.
Given the above analysis, none of the metals listed fit perfectly between rubidium and calcium in terms of reactivity.
However, considering only the metals listed, **magnesium (Mg)** is the most appropriate choice because it is indeed between the reactivity of rubidium (Rb) and calcium (Ca) since Rb is more reactive than all alkaline earth metals and Mg is less reactive than Ca, albeit Mg is an exception in terms of its placement relative to other alkaline earth metals.
In conclusion, while magnesium is less reactive than rubidium, it is generally considered between rubidium and calcium for practical comparisons.
- **Rubidium (Rb)** is an alkali metal located in group 1, and it is more reactive than sodium (Na) and potassium (K), which are also alkali metals.
- **Calcium (Ca)** is an alkaline earth metal located in group 2, and it is less reactive than alkali metals but more reactive than many transition metals.
Now, let's consider the options provided:
1. **Potassium (K)**: This is an alkali metal and is more reactive than rubidium, so it does not fit our criteria.
2. **Cesium (Cs)**: This is also an alkali metal and is more reactive than rubidium, so it is not the correct choice.
3. **Magnesium (Mg)**: This is an alkaline earth metal. It is less reactive than calcium because it is above calcium in group 2.
4. **Titanium (Ti)**: This is a transition metal and would generally be less reactive than calcium.
Given the above analysis, none of the metals listed fit perfectly between rubidium and calcium in terms of reactivity.
However, considering only the metals listed, **magnesium (Mg)** is the most appropriate choice because it is indeed between the reactivity of rubidium (Rb) and calcium (Ca) since Rb is more reactive than all alkaline earth metals and Mg is less reactive than Ca, albeit Mg is an exception in terms of its placement relative to other alkaline earth metals.
In conclusion, while magnesium is less reactive than rubidium, it is generally considered between rubidium and calcium for practical comparisons.