Reactivity and Periodic Trends

Jamie Z 2024-05-28

Learning Goals

• Explain trends in reactivity for metals and non-metals
• Make reasonable predictions based on data relating to periodic trends

Metals

• Down a group the reactivity of metals increases because valence electrons are more easily lost, as there is more electron shielding between the shells and there is less attraction from the nucleus
• Across a period the reactivity of metals decrease because there are an increasing amount of valence electrons so more energy is required to lose electrons

Non-Metals

• Down a group the reactivity of metals decreases because the attraction between nucleus and electrons get weaker, making it more difficult to attract more electrons
• Across a period the reactivity of non-metals increase as it becomes easier to gain more electrons to fill the valence shell as there are more protons, therefore more electrostatic attraction