Question

Sodium is more reactive than lithium. Why?

Answer 1

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`