Question

Sort the following elements in decreasing order of their tendency to get oxidised.

• A. Potassium
• B. Sodium
• C. Iron
• D. Copper
• E. Gold

Answer 1

Ease of losing electrons of an element determines its tendency to get oxidised. Potassium (K), being the most electropositive element of these, oxidise readily followed by sodium (Na).

Among the rest, iron (Fe) has a greater tendency to lose electrons than copper (Cu). Gold (Au) is a noble metal which rarely reacts or loses electrons.
Hence, the tendency to get oxidised follows the order:
K>Na>Fe>Cu>Au.