Why is potassium more reactive than sodium?

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Andrew Bradshaw

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This is todo with the structure of the atoms. Both are in Group 1 of the periodic table so have one valence (outer) electron which is relatively easy to lose due to a factor known as shielding (I can add more detail here if needed) and the desire to acquire a ‘noble gas configuration’. As potassium is larger than sodium, potassium’s valence electron is at a greater distance from the attractive nucleus and is so removed more easily than sodium’s valence electron. As it is removed more easily, it requires less energy, and can be said to be more reactive.