Why does the reactivity of the Group 1 elements increase as you go down the group?

As you descend group 1, there is an increasing number of electron shells, therefore increasing the distance between the positive nucleus and the negative outer electron which decreases the attraction between the two. Due to the group 1 elements forming ionic compounds, they lose their outer electron when they react and so the weaker attraction between the nucleus and the outer electron means they are able to lose that electron more easily and therefore are more reactive.

BJ
Answered by Bethan J. Chemistry tutor

2578 Views

See similar Chemistry GCSE tutors

Related Chemistry GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Show the covalent bonding in terms of electrons in their outer shell for a molecule of Carbon Dioxide


What is a mole


The student did another experiment using 20 cm3 of sodium hydroxide solution with a concentration of 0.18 mol/dm3 . Relative formula mass (Mr) of NaOH = 40 Calculate the mass of sodium hydroxide in 20 cm3 of this solution.


Explain the trends in first ionisation energy in the second period in the periodic table.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning