Question

Why does reactivity of metals change as you move down from top to bottom of the group? Please refer to the force of attraction of the electrons to the nucleus in your response.

Answer 1

The reactivity of Group 1 elements increases as you go down the group because:

the atoms get larger as you go down the group

the outer electron gets further from the nucleus as you go down the group

the attraction between the nucleus and outer electron gets weaker as you go down the group - so the electron is more easily lost