can anyone explain to me how to figure this out?

Question

anonymous · Answer

Which element listed is more reactive than lithium and magnesium, but less reactive than potassium?

abb0t · Answer

Sodium. you can refer to your periodcic table, and atomic size, availability of it's electron on orbital.

anonymous · Answer

I know the answer. I don't know how to come to that conclusion. And I don't know what you mean by availability of it's electron orbital

abb0t · Answer

bigger shell, farther away from nucleus. less energy to remove that valence electron from potassium than from sodium, leading to increased reactivity.

anonymous · Answer

okay. =/

aaronq · Answer

if you're talking about the metals being elemental (not in a compound) you could look at values for their 1st ionization energies, which would give you quantitative measurement of their ability to lose their valence electron(s). http://www.chemicool.com/ or http://chemreference.com/