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Why is lithium harder than potassium in structure and bonding?

Updated: 4/18/2024
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barka idris

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2w ago

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It is because Lithium has the smallest atomic radius of them all, because it has only two shells of electrons.So the small lithium nuclei, with their one positive charge each are more easily held together by the delocalised elextron cloud than the much larger sodium or potassium ions that still only have one positive charge each.potassium is more reactive owing to the loosely bound valence electron owing to a relatively more "electron shielding" effect.The valence electron is partially shielded from the attractive force of the nucleus by the inner electrons.Although lithium and potassium have one valence electron.The difference in hardness between lithium and potassium is primarily due to their atomic structures and bonding. Lithium has a smaller atomic radius and stronger metallic bonding compared to potassium. This makes lithium atoms more tightly packed and bonded, resulting in a harder substance compared to potassium.

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Chibundu Esther

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2w ago
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Q: Why is lithium harder than potassium in structure and bonding?
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