Why does the reactivity increase as you move down the alkaline Earth metals?

The reactivity of alkaline Earth metals increases from the top to the bottom of the group. That’s because the atoms get bigger from the top to the bottom, so the valence electrons are farther from the nucleus.

Why does reactivity with water increase down the group?

The overall trend, for the reactivity of Group 2 metals with water, is an increase down the group. The outer electrons are easier to remove as they are further from the nucleus and there is more shielding resulting in a lower nuclear attraction.

How do alkali and alkaline earth metals react with water?

Like the alkali metals, they form alkaline solutions when they react with water. All of the alkaline earth metals except beryllium and magnesium also react with water to produce hydrogen gas and their respective hydroxides (magnesium will react with steam, however).

Why do alkaline earth metals react with water?

All the alkaline earth metals have two electrons in their valence shell, so they lose two electrons to form cations with a 2+ charge. All the alkaline earth metals except beryllium also react with water to form strongly alkaline hydroxides which should be handled with great care.

What happens when alkaline earth metals react with water?

Except for beryllium, all alkaline earth metals often react with water to form highly alkaline hydroxides, which should be treated with great caution. The heavier metals of the alkaline earth react more strongly than the lighter ones. Metals react with water to create hydrogen gas and metal oxide.

Why are alkaline earth metals generally less reactive than alkali metals?

The outermost electrons of the alkaline earth metals (group 2) are more difficult to remove than the outer electron of the alkali metals, leading to the group 2 metals being less reactive than those in group 1. These elements easily form compounds in which the metals exhibit an oxidation state of 2+.

Which alkali metal reacts least vigorously with water?

Lithium reacts the least vigorously. Potassium is the most reactive, immediately produces purple sparks and flames.

Which metal reacts most vigorously with water?

alkali metals
The alkali metals (Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, and Fr) are the most reactive metals in the periodic table – they all react vigorously or even explosively with cold water, resulting in the displacement of hydrogen.

Why alkali and alkaline earth metals are most reactive?

They are also relatively soft and low in density. Alkaline Earth metals are very reactive because they readily give up their two valence electrons to achieve a full outer energy level, which is the most stable arrangement of electrons. Reactivity increases from the top to the bottom of the group.

How do alkali and alkaline metals react with water?

Alkali metals react with water to produce heat, hydrogen gas, and the corresponding metal hydroxide. The heat produced by this reaction may ignite the hydrogen or the metal itself, resulting in a fire or an explosion. The heavier alkali metals will react more violently with water.

Which alkaline earth metal is most reactive with water?

Sodium
Sodium is the alkali element that reacts most violently with water.