Circle the element (out of the group of 3) that is most likely to lose or give up electrons
Ge Sn In F C1 Xe Na K Ca Cu Ag An
What family of non-metals is the most reactive?
The correct answer and explanation is:
The element most likely to lose or give up electrons in this group is Na (Sodium). Sodium is an alkali metal, and alkali metals are well-known for their ability to easily lose electrons. They have a single electron in their outermost shell, and losing this electron allows them to achieve a stable, noble gas electron configuration. This characteristic makes alkali metals highly reactive, particularly with non-metals like halogens.
When sodium loses its single valence electron, it becomes a positively charged ion (Na⁺). This ion is highly stable, as it achieves the electron configuration of the nearest noble gas, neon. Sodium’s position in the periodic table, being in Group 1 (alkali metals), means it has low ionization energy. Ionization energy is the energy required to remove an electron from an atom. Because sodium is in the first column of the periodic table, its ionization energy is low, making it more likely to lose electrons than elements in other groups.
Regarding the most reactive family of non-metals, the halogens (Group 17) are the most reactive. This group includes elements like fluorine (F), chlorine (Cl), and iodine (I). The halogens are highly reactive because they have seven electrons in their outermost electron shell and only need one more electron to achieve a stable noble gas configuration. As a result, they are eager to gain an electron, making them strong oxidizing agents.
Fluorine, in particular, is the most reactive of all elements. It has the highest electronegativity, which means it has a very strong attraction for electrons. This extreme reactivity of halogens, especially fluorine, is why they readily form salts when combined with metals and have a variety of applications in industries like disinfection and pharmaceuticals.