A student cuts equal-sized pieces of lithium, sodium and potassium. The freshly cut surfaces are exposed to the same room air at room temperature, and the student records when each first shows a visible surface change.
The results are shown in the table.
| Metal | Time until the first visible surface change |
|---|---|
| Lithium | After a few minutes |
| Sodium | Within seconds |
| Potassium | Almost immediately |
Compare the reactivity of these metals with oxygen, using the results to support your answer.
Explain the difference in reactivity between lithium and potassium using their electron structures.
82 exam-style questions on AQA GCSE Chemistry 1.2 The periodic table, covering 1.2.1 The periodic table, 1.2.2 Development of the periodic table, 1.2.3 Metals and non-metals, 1.2.4 Group 0, 1.2.5 Group 1, and 1.2.6 Group 7. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.