Potassium metal, K, is more reactive than sodium, Na. Calcium, Ca, is less reactive than

Question

sodium. The comparative reactivity of these metals is K > Na > Ca. Explain the reactivity differences of K, Na and Ca based on their atomic structure.

Answer 1

K is larger than Na so it's one electron is more easily removed. The one electron for Na is more easily removed than that from Ca since Ca is harder to remove its two outside electrons (because Ca has a larger positive nuclear charge than Na or K).

Answer 2

Thank you