Lab 7.4: Reactivity of metals

1 and 2. Elements that are in the same group have more similarities than elements in the same period. Elements with the same number of valence electrons and similar properties are most similar. These similar elements share the same characteristics and reaction times.This can be proved from the data we collected when metals were being place into water and phenolphthalein.When the data was collected the six elements could be easily placed in three different groups based on properties observed.Group 1 (Na, K, and Li), properties for this group were started with each containing one valence electron then observing that the element reacted fast with the air, the elements floated in water, an exothermic reaction,and the water (phenolphthalein turned pink) meaning that the element is basic. Knowing these similarity's it can be concluded that all of these elements are in Group 1.The elements in our group 2 (Mg and Ca) also shared many identical properties and both had valance electrons of 2. And finally, the group left had only contained the element Al. Al had different properties than all the other elements, also had a different valance electron valance electron of 3.

 

3.When an element of sodium reacts with an non-metal:

a) the sodium atom will want to lose1 electron(metals loses electron) so that it can get to a stable octet.

b) the sodium ion will become positive ion called a cation. This is caused by loosing an electron there is one more proton, making it positive.

c) 1+

d) Its new electron configuration would be 2-8 that of Neon

e) The sodium ion will be more stable because it has 8 valance electrons resulting in a stable octet. 

Enrichment:

Alkali metals almost always form ions with a positive charge of +1, and are so reactive as elements that virtually all occur in nature only in compound form. Sodium a highly reactive element is in its pure form reacts with elements and moisture in the air almost immediately. It is more stable in compounds, so this is how it is found in nature.Pure sodium metal can be prepared by the process involves the electrolysis of NaCl mixed with proper amount of CaCl₂ to lower the melting point of NaCl. this process produces up to 99% pure sodium metal