Question

Alkali metals have ____ electron(s) in the outermost energy level. These are very ____ metals and easily lose their single ____ electron.

A. One; reactive; valence
B. Two; stable; core
C. One; reactive; core
D. Eight; inert; valence

Answer 1

Alkali metals have one valence electron in their outermost energy level, making them very reactive. The correct answer is A. One; reactive; valence, as they readily lose this electron to form +1 cations.

Step-by-step explanation:

Alkali metals have one electron in the outermost energy level. These are very reactive metals and easily lose their single valence electron. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is A. One; reactive; valence.

The properties of the alkali metals such as their large atomic radii and low first ionization energy enhance their reactivity.

Each alkali metal has a single s electron in its outermost (valence) shell, which makes them very efficient at forming +1 cations upon the loss of this loosely bound electron.

In contrast to core electrons, which are closer to the nucleus, valence electrons are in the outermost energy level and are crucial to an element's chemical reactivity.