The arrangement of an atom’s electrons in “orbits” around its nucleus determines how reactive the element is because it is the electrons of atoms that interact, shuffling about, when chemical reactions occur. Because it is so “anxious” to pull another electron into its orbit, chlorine is an extremely reactive element.

When the alkali metals react with the different halogens (Group 7 of the periodic table), the group of compounds formed are known as the alkali metals halides. All alkali metal halides are white solids. Note that all the halogens are toxic, and so these reactions should be carried out in a fume cupboard.

Using electron configuration, explain why the halogens readily react with the alkali metals to form salts… They easily lose valence electrons and form compounds such as sodium chloride. Why is an iron alloy, such as steel, preferred over pure iron? They tend to be harder, stronger, and more resistant to corrosion.

The electron structure of halogens means that they react vigorously with group 1 alkali metals. The positive alkali metal ions and the negative halide ions are strongly attracted to each other. It is this electrostatic attraction that forms ionic bonds in metal halides and other ionic compounds.

Due to their high effective nuclear charge, halogens are highly electronegative. Therefore, they are highly reactive and can gain an electron through reaction with other elements.

Alkali metals are among the most reactive metals. This is due in part to their larger atomic radii and low ionization energies. They tend to donate their electrons in reactions and have an oxidation state of +1. All these characteristics can be attributed to these elements’ large atomic radii and weak metallic bonding.

Physical properties. The alkali metals have the high thermal and electrical conductivity, lustre, ductility, and malleability that are characteristic of metals. Each alkali metal atom has a single electron in its outermost shell.

Lithium

lithium

Lithium is the smallest atom among alkali metals. When Lithium reacts with nitrogen gas at room temperature (N2), it forms Lithium Nitride (Li3N) which is stable, because the lattice energy released from the formation of Li3N is high enough to make the overall reaction exothermic.

Q3) What will not react with alkali , a copper sheet or an aluminum sheet. Ans: A Copper sheet.

Alkali metals react with water to produce heat, hydrogen gas, and the corresponding metal hydroxide. The heat produced by this reaction may ignite the hydrogen or the metal itself, resulting in a fire or an explosion.

Group 2A (or IIA) of the periodic table are the alkaline earth metals: beryllium (Be), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), strontium (Sr), barium (Ba), and radium (Ra). They are harder and less reactive than the alkali metals of Group 1A.

The group 1 elements react with oxygen from the air to make metal oxides . The alkali metals burn vigorously when heated and placed in a gas jar of oxygen. The oxide forms as white smoke.

Most metals form oxides with the oxygen in a -2 oxidation state. As a general rule, metal oxides are basic and nonmetal oxides are acidic. Oxygen also forms covalent oxides with non-metals, that react with water to form acidic solutions. Oxygen does not react with fluorine or noble gases.

Small pieces of sodium burn in air with often little more than an orange glow. Using larger amounts of sodium or burning it in oxygen gives a strong orange flame. You get a white solid mixture of sodium oxide and sodium peroxide. The equation for the formation of the simple oxide is just like the lithium one.

Transition metals react with oxygen to form metal oxides. However, gold, silver, and platinum do not react with oxygen.

Less reactive metals react with acids and oxygen, but not water, and include several transition metals such as zinc, iron, and tin.

Sodium

Magnesium

gold

The elements toward the bottom left corner of the periodic table are the metals that are the most active in the sense of being the most reactive. Lithium, sodium, and potassium all react with water, for example.

Many metals react with oxygen to form metal oxides. Potassium and sodium are soft metal which are easily cut exposing a shiny surface which changes to dull rapidly. The change from shiny to dull is called tarnishing. Potassium burns with a lilac flame when heated in air.

REACTION OF NON METALS Non- metals react with oxygen to form acidic oxides or neutral oxides. The non-metal oxides are covalent in natures which are formed by the sharing of electrons. The acidic oxides of non-metals dissolve in water to form acids. The acidic oxides of non-metals turn blue litmus solution to red.

Metals, on being burnt in air, react with the oxygen to form metal oxides.

When magnesium reacts with oxygen, it produces light bright enough to blind you temporarily. Magnesium burns so bright because the reaction releases a lot of heat. As a result of this exothermic reaction, magnesium gives two electrons to oxygen, forming powdery magnesium oxide (MgO).

When the magnesium metal burns it reacts with oxygen found in the air to form Magnesium Oxide. A compound is a material in which atoms of different elements are bonded to one another. Oxygen and magnesium combine in a chemical reaction to form this compound.

The equation is: Magnesium + oxygen → magnesium oxide. 2Mg + O2 → 2MgO.