It all has to do with electrons becoming excited and jumping orbitals. When two elements with different numbers of electrons in their outer shells are put together they can react together if and only if the they are needing to complete their outer orbital thus creating either an ionic or a covalent bond.
== ==
The chemical reactivity of alkali metals increase when the atomic number increase.
Atomic mass does not directly indicate an element's reactivity. Reactivity is primarily determined by the number of electrons in the outer shell of an element (valence electrons). Elements with a full or nearly full outer shell (noble gases) are generally unreactive, while elements with few electrons in the outer shell (alkali metals) are highly reactive.
The reactivity of alkali metals in Group IA increases as you move down the group from lithium to cesium. This trend is primarily due to the decreasing ionization energy, which makes it easier for these metals to lose their outermost electron. As the atomic radius increases, the outer electron is further from the nucleus and experiences less electrostatic attraction, leading to higher reactivity. Therefore, cesium is more reactive than lithium.
The reactivity of halogens decreases with increasing atomic number.
The alkali earth metal with the smallest atomic radius would be beryllium(Be), number four
Potassium is located in Period 4 of the periodic table. It is a chemical element with the symbol K and atomic number 19. Potassium is an alkali metal and is known for its high reactivity, particularly with water.
Elements with the most similar physical and chemical properties are found in the same group or column of the periodic table. Each group contains elements that share common characteristics, such as reactivity, electronegativity, and atomic structure. For example, the alkali metals in Group 1 are highly reactive and have similar properties, as do the noble gases in Group 18, which are known for their lack of reactivity.
Alkali metals become more reactive as you move down the group in the periodic table because atomic size increases, making it easier for the outermost electron to be lost. This is due to the decrease in ionization energy and increase in metallic character as you move down the group. Alkali metals react vigorously with water and oxygen, forming metal oxides and hydroxides.
Dmitri Mendeleev would have understood the reactivity of halogens and alkali metals in terms of their electron configurations and positions in the periodic table. Alkali metals, with one electron in their outer shell, readily lose that electron to achieve a stable noble gas configuration, making them highly reactive. Conversely, halogens, with seven electrons in their outer shell, are eager to gain one electron to complete their octet, which also contributes to their high reactivity. Mendeleev's arrangement of the periodic table highlighted these trends, illustrating the relationship between atomic structure and chemical behavior.
Beryllium is the smallest alkali earth metal in terms of atomic size and atomic number.
Francium has the biggest atomic weight and the biggest atomic radius between the alkali metals.