elements are organized on the periodic table based on their properties. which statement correctly predicts…

elements are organized on the periodic table based on their properties. which statement correctly predicts and explains the chemical reactivity of two metals?\nrubidium (rb) is more reactive than strontium (sr) because strontium atoms must lose more electrons.\nsodium (na) is more reactive than magnesium (mg) because sodium atoms must gain more electrons.\ncalcium (ca) is less reactive than potassium (k) because potassium atoms must lose more electrons.\nberyllium (be) is less reactive than lithium (li) because beryllium atoms must gain more electrons.

elements are organized on the periodic table based on their properties. which statement correctly predicts and explains the chemical reactivity of two metals?\nrubidium (rb) is more reactive than strontium (sr) because strontium atoms must lose more electrons.\nsodium (na) is more reactive than magnesium (mg) because sodium atoms must gain more electrons.\ncalcium (ca) is less reactive than potassium (k) because potassium atoms must lose more electrons.\nberyllium (be) is less reactive than lithium (li) because beryllium atoms must gain more electrons.

Answer

Explanation:

Step1: Recall metal reactivity trend

Metals tend to lose electrons. Reactivity increases as it is easier to lose electrons. In a period, reactivity of metals decreases from left - to - right.

Step2: Analyze each option

  • For Rubidium (Rb) and Strontium (Sr), Rb is in Group 1 and Sr is in Group 2. Rb has 1 valence electron and Sr has 2. Rb can lose its 1 valence electron more easily than Sr losing 2, so Rb is more reactive.
  • Sodium (Na) is a metal and metals lose electrons, not gain electrons, so the statement about Na gaining electrons is incorrect.
  • Potassium (K) has 1 valence electron and Calcium (Ca) has 2. K loses its 1 valence electron more easily than Ca losing 2, so K is more reactive, but the reason given about K losing more electrons is wrong as K loses fewer electrons than Ca.
  • Beryllium (Be) and Lithium (Li) are metals and metals lose electrons, not gain electrons, so the statement about Be gaining electrons is incorrect.

Answer:

Rubidium (Rb) is more reactive than strontium (Sr) because strontium atoms must lose more electrons.