Potassium, K, is more reactive than sodium, Na. Calcium, Ca, is less reactive than sodium. The comparative reactivity of these metals is often noted as: K Na Ca. Explain the reactivity differences of K, Na, Ca.

Question

Potassium, K, is more reactive than sodium, Na. Calcium, Ca, is less reactive than sodium. The comparative reactivity of these metals is often noted as: K > Na > Ca. Explain the reactivity differences of K, Na, Ca.

DrBob222 · Answer

K is more reactive than Na because the outside electron is further away from the nucleus; thus it is easier to pull the electron away. Ca is less reactive than K because there is more positive charge holding the outside electron. Said another way, the ionization potential is lowest for K and highest for Ca with Na between.