Why are group 1 elements more reactive as you go down the group?

Group 1 elements display similar properties as they all only have a single electron on their outer shell. They make up the first column of the periodic table and are ordered in ascending weight from top to bottom. They react by giving away their single outer electron to another element forming an ionic bond, the heavier elements further down the group are more likely to do this for two reasons. They have a greater atomic number so more electrons - this means that the outer electrons are further away from the nucleus, so the electrons have a weaker electrostatic attraction to the protons in the nucleus so are more likely to be lost More electrons means that there are more shells of electrons greater shielding between the outer electrons and nucleus which further weakens this electrostatic attraction

EH
Answered by Emma H. Chemistry tutor

2655 Views

See similar Chemistry GCSE tutors

Related Chemistry GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Describe how and explain why vegetable oils are hardened for use in foods.


5.00 g of copper(II) carbonate decomposes to form copper(II) oxide and carbon dioxide: CuCO3(g) → CuO(s) + CO2(g). Calculate the maximum mass of carbon dioxide that can be produced. (Mr of CuCO3 = 123.5, Mr of CO2 = 44.0)


Explain the trend in reactivity of the elements in Group 7.


Explain why the reactivity of the elements in group 1 increases as we go down the periodic table?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences