Reactive metals Show Sodium is one of the most reactive metals that reacts vigorously with water to release heat and produce hydrogen gas. The reaction releases so much energy that the hydrogen gas ignites. Click to see a video of sodium reacting in water. It is unlikely that you will find pure sodium in nature. Iron is reactive but not as reactive as sodium. The table on the right shows the different metals in order of reactivity with the most reactive on top. Click on the names of the metals to see where they appear on the periodic table below. Gold been the least reactive of the metals shown can be found in its elemental form in nature.
The most reactive metals are found on the left of the periodic table, in the blue column, known as the alkali metals. Their reactivity increases as we go down column (group) one, shown in blue. Click to see how the reactivity of group one metals increases down a group. The red column is also composed of reactive metals known as alkaline earth metals and their reactivity also increases as we move down the column.
What metals are not very reactive? (think of what metals are found in pure form in nature) Copper, silver and gold are metals that are found in the periodic table in the same column. Does their reactivity increase as we move down the column? Which is more reactive francium or lithium? Explain. Galvanising is a process that involves covering sheets of iron with zinc and is used to protect iron
from rusting. Where is hydrogen widely used today? What is formed when liquid hydrogen burns in oxygen? Why must hydrogen and oxygen be stored in liquid form in the external fuel tank? Continue with a demonstration with hydrogen Continue with an activity to determine reactivity of known metals. Continue with an activity to compare the reactivity of metals using a lemon Why is sodium a highly reactive metal?Its single outer electron makes the metal highly reactive and ready to combine with others at the first opportunity – such as the moment the metal hits water.
Which is the most reactive metal and why?According to reactivity series, sodium is the most reactive metal.
Why is sodium more reactive than?Sodium is more reactive than lithium because sodium is larger in size. Outermost electrons are less tightly held in sodium than in lithium. As a result, sodium loses its outermost electron more easily than lithium. Hence, it is more reactive than lithium.
Is sodium is the most reactive?Sodium is one of the most reactive metals. It is among the topmost in the reactivity series.
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