Chapter 2.5 Explaining trends

Question 1

What two effects does reactivity within groups have?

Answer 1

Larger atoms lose electrons more easily going down a group.

Larger atoms gain electrons less easily going down a group.

Question 2

What happens to group 1 elements as you go down the group?

Answer 2

The elements become more reactive.

Question 3

What happens to group 7 elements as you go down the group?

Answer 3

The elements get less reactive.

Question 4

Why does the reactivity increase when going down group 1?

Answer 4

Because the atoms get larger so the single electron in the outermost shell is attracted less strongly to the positive nucleus.

Question 5

Why does the reactivity decrease when going down group 7?

Answer 5

Going down the group, the outermost shell’s electrons get further away from the attractive force of the nucleus, so it is harder to attract and gain an extra incoming electron.

Question 6

What does the electrostatic attraction depend on?

Answer 6

The distance between the outermost electrons and nucleus.
The number of occupied inner shell (energy levels) of electrons, which provides shielding effect.
The size of the positive charge on the nucleus (called the nuclear charge).