Which of the following is a reason why metals are relatively reactive?AMost metals fall on the higher end of the hardness scale.BMost metals have a high boiling point.CMost metals have a strong tendency to gain electrons because they have five to seven valence electrons.DMost metals have one to three valence electrons that they lose when bonding with other elements.
Question
Which of the following is a reason why metals are relatively reactive?AMost metals fall on the higher end of the hardness scale.BMost metals have a high boiling point.CMost metals have a strong tendency to gain electrons because they have five to seven valence electrons.DMost metals have one to three valence electrons that they lose when bonding with other elements.
Solution
The correct answer is D. Most metals have one to three valence electrons that they lose when bonding with other elements.
Here's why:
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Metals are located on the left side of the periodic table and have one to three electrons in their outermost energy level, or valence shell.
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These valence electrons are relatively loosely held by the nucleus because they are far from the positive charge of the protons.
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As a result, metals tend to lose these valence electrons easily in chemical reactions, making them relatively reactive.
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When a metal atom loses its valence electrons, it forms a positive ion, or cation. This process is known as oxidation and is a common reaction for metals.
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The ease with which metals lose their valence electrons and form cations contributes to their reactivity.
So, the reactivity of metals is not primarily due to their hardness (A), their boiling point (B), or a strong tendency to gain electrons (C). Instead, it's their tendency to lose valence electrons (D) that makes them reactive.
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