Using information from the activity series, identify the locations in the periodic table of the most reactive metals and the least reactive metals. Using your knowledge of electron configurations and periodic trends, infer possible explanations for the metals’ reactivity and position in the periodic table.

Question

tatianagomezb · Answer

These metals are easy to identify by looking at the electronic configuration on the periodic table, and also it would be great if you had an ionization energy table, electron afinity energy table and electronegativity values.
That being said, in order to identify the reactivity of metals consider the following:
- what are the common oxidation states of these metal when found in nature? What are the most stable species?
e.g. NaCl , Ag, Au, Mg(OH)2, Fe2O3 
- how much energy is released if these metals lost an electron? Can you think about a situation where a metal plate reacts violently with air, water or doesn't react at all? and can it stay the same for a long time?

- how much energy is required for a metal to release an electron? Does that happen? 

Au: Gold, for example. There are many reasons why gold is so valuable, one being its stability. 
You can see many of Egypt's ancient gold treasures endured the passage of time.

I hope this gives you an idea. Good luck