Sodium is more reactive than lithium. Why?

1 Answer
anor277
Feb 17, 2017

The lithium atom is smaller...........

Explanation:

The lithium atom is smaller than the sodium atom, and on this basis we would expect lithium to be LESS reducing.

#M rarr M^(+) + e^-#

How can we assess this? Well, in water, sodium metal would give a few spits and sparks. The reactivity of lithium towards water would be less dramatic:

#Li(s) + H_2O(l) rarr Li^(+) + HO^(-) + 1/2H_2(g)uarr#

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