Difference between revisions of "Reactivity"
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The [[reactivity]] decreases as you go across the [[Period (Chemistry)|period]]: | The [[reactivity]] decreases as you go across the [[Period (Chemistry)|period]]: | ||
| − | *The outer [[electron]]s all roughly the same distance away from the [[Atomic Nucleus|nucleus]] | + | *The outer [[electron]]s are all roughly the same distance away from the [[Atomic Nucleus|nucleus]] |
*The [[charge]] on the [[Atomic Nucleus|atomic nucleus]] increases as you move go across the [[period]]. | *The [[charge]] on the [[Atomic Nucleus|atomic nucleus]] increases as you move go across the [[period]]. | ||
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Revision as of 16:44, 5 December 2018
Contents
Key Stage 4
Meaning
Reactivity is how vigorously a chemical will react.
About Reactivity
- Reactivity is determined by how easily an element can lose or gain electrons.
- Electrons are held in orbit around the nucleus because the electrons are negatively charged and are attracted to the nucleus which is positively charged.
- If an element loses electrons easily it is highly reactive.
- If an element gains electrons readily it is also highly reactive.
Three important factors affect reactivity of elements.
- The charge of the nucleus
- The shielding effect of inner electrons.
- Distance between the nucleus and the outer shell.
Reactivity in Groups 1, 2 and 3
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In a chemical reaction the electron in the outer shell is lost.
The reactivity increases as you go down the group because:
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Reactivity in Group 7
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In a chemical reaction an extra electron is added to the outer shell.
The reactivity decreases as you go down the group because:
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Reactivity along Period 2
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| For the first 3 elements Lithium, Beryllium and Boron all lose electrons in chemical reactions.
The reactivity decreases as you go across the period:
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