Question

Looking at the same nonmetal group on the periodic table, how does the reactivity of an element in period 2 compare to the reactivity of an element in period 4?

Answer 1

Reactivity decreases from period 2 to period 4

Answer 2

Answer: The non-metal present in Period 2 will be more reactive than the non-metal present in Period 4.

Step-by-step explanation:

Chemical reactivity is defined as the tendency of an element to loose of gain electrons.

Non-metals are the elements which gains electrons and hence, their chemical reactivity will be the tendency to loose electrons.

The chemical reactivity of non-metals decreases as we move from top to bottom in a group. As, the electrons get added up in the new shell. So, the the electron in the outermost orbital gets far away from the nucleus and experiences less nuclear charge. Thus, the chemical reactivity of non-metals decreases.

As per the question, the non-metal present in Period 2 will be more reactive than the non-metal present in Period 4.