In: Chemistry
Why Alkali metal acts as strong reducing agents . Explain?
Alkali metals are found in Group 1 of the periodic table.
Reducing agents are chemicals or elements that can both reduce and oxidise other substances.
Because alkali metals only have one valence electron in their valence shell, they can easily lose it to obtain the nearest noble gas configuration and become more stable than before.
As a result, they lose one electron and oxidise while reducing others, earning the term "reducing agents" in the process.
As a result, they're an effective reducer.
In general, their electrical configuration is ns1.
This means that there is only one electron in the outermost shell.
As a result, they're likely to lose this electron to other electron-accepting species.
As a result of this, they become oxidised.
Kindly see explanation below