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There are two electrons on the outer shell which means they are pretty reactive. (make bonding easier)

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Low ionization energies are most characteristic of atoms that are?

Low ionization energies are typically characteristic of atoms that have large atomic size and few protons in their nucleus, such as alkali metals and alkaline earth metals. These atoms have loosely bound electrons that require less energy to remove.


When metals react with other elements the atoms of the metals blank electrons?

When metals react with other elements, the atoms of the metals tend to lose electrons. This is because metals have few electrons in their outermost shell and losing those electrons allows them to achieve a stable electron configuration.


Is it true that a covalent bond is formed between atoms when they share electrons to complete their valence energy levels?

Yes, that is correct. In a covalent bond, atoms share electrons to achieve a more stable electron configuration with a full valence shell. This sharing of electrons allows both atoms to complete their valence energy levels and form a strong bond.


Why are metals good conductor of thermal energy?

Metals are good conductors of thermal energy because they have free electrons that can move easily between atoms, carrying heat energy quickly throughout the material. This mobility of electrons allows metals to efficiently transfer thermal energy from one place to another.


Why melting and boiling point of alkali metals are lower as compared to alkaline earth metals?

Alkali metals have weaker metallic bonding due to their larger atomic size and lower charge density compared to alkaline earth metals. This results in lower melting and boiling points for alkali metals because less energy is required to overcome the forces holding the metal atoms together. Additionally, alkali metals have only one valence electron, making it easier for them to lose this electron and transition into a liquid or gaseous state.

Related Questions

What group of metals is characterized by a single valence electrons and very reactive atoms?

The alkali metals easily yield the one electron found in their valence shell, to bond with other elements. Since it takes so little energy to remove this electron from an alkali metal (i.e., they have a low ionization energy) these metals are never found in nature in their elemental forms (they are too reactive; i.e., their atoms so easily bond to other atoms).


What types of atoms easily lose electrons?

These with a positive charge.


Low ionization energies are most characteristic of atoms that are?

Low ionization energies are typically characteristic of atoms that have large atomic size and few protons in their nucleus, such as alkali metals and alkaline earth metals. These atoms have loosely bound electrons that require less energy to remove.


Why are alkali metals more reactive than transition metals?

Groups 3-12 do not have individual names. Instead, all of these groups are called transition metals. The atoms of transition metals do not give away their electrons as easily as atoms of the Group 1 and Group 2 metals do. So, transition metals are less reactive than alkali metals and alkaline-earth metals are.


How do the atoms of calcium compare to the atoms of sodium?

Atoms of calcium have 20 protons and electrons, while atoms of sodium have 11 protons and electrons. Calcium is larger in size and has a higher atomic mass compared to sodium. Both atoms are metals and are part of the alkali earth and alkali metal groups, respectively.


The term for free electrons in metals transferring energy by colliding with other atoms or electrons is?

The term is "electron conduction," where free electrons in metals transfer energy by colliding with other atoms or electrons. This process is crucial for the flow of electric current in conductive materials.


Why are alkali metals more reactive than transitional metals?

Groups 3-12 do not have individual names. Instead, all of these groups are called transition metals. The atoms of transition metals do not give away their electrons as easily as atoms of the Group 1 and Group 2 metals do. So, transition metals are less reactive than alkali metals and alkaline-earth metals are.


The term for free electrons in metals transferring energy by colliding with other atoms or electrons?

The term is "electron diffusion." In metals, free electrons can transfer energy through collisions with other atoms or electrons, leading to a net movement of charge known as electron diffusion.


What is a substance that has lost or gained electrons?

Most atoms have the ability to lose electrons, given the conditions are favorable, e.g. in a chemical reaction, but the ones that loose their electrons easiest are the ones with only a few electrons in their outer shell, such as the alkali metals and alkaline earth metals which only have 1 and two electrons, respectively.


What is it called when free electrons in metals transferring energy by colliding with other atoms or electrons?

It is called thermal conduction, where free electrons in metals transfer energy through collisions with other atoms or electrons, facilitating the flow of heat throughout the material. This process is a key mechanism for heat transfer in metals.


What does heat travel with easily through metals?

Metals are good heat conductors. The electrons are also exicted by thermal energy and that thermal energy rapidly moves to other atoms.


Why alkali metals are more reactive than alkaline earth metals?

All atoms want to do is make their valence shell full. In alkali metals they have all of their shells completely full except one valence electron. The alkali metals REALLY want to get rid of that electron, so they will react with many elements/compounds to get rid of that electron. In alkaline earth metals they have all of their shells completely full except for two valence electrons. They also want to get rid of those electrons but the alkaline earth metals are not as desperate to do so as the alkali earth metals which make the alkaline much less reactive than the alkali metals.