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Question

Why does sodium react more vigorously with water than Lithium?


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Solution

The reactions of Sodium and Lithium with water

  • 2NasSodium+2H2OlWater2NaOHaqSodiumHydraoxide+H2gHydrogengas
  • 2LisLithium+2H2OlWater2LiOHaqLithiumHydraoxide+H2gHydrogengas

The explanation for sodium reacts more vigorously with water than Lithium

  • Alkali metals include both sodium and lithium. They share several characteristics but some minor characteristics distinguish the two elements.
  • To achieve a noble gas structure, alkali metals must give a single valence electron. As a result, they are all electropositive univalent metals.
  • As one moves down the group, the electropositive nature rises. Therefore, sodium is more electropositive than lithium and its size is larger as well. As a result, Sodium reacts with water more violently than Lithium.

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