In: Chemistry
All of the following are less reactive than magnesium EXCEPT Sodium Mercury Platium Lead
Sodium
The reactivity of group 1 elements is much higher compared to other elements in th eother groups(2-8). This makes sodium highly reactive. The electron arrangement of Sodium, 1s2.2s2 2p6 3s1 It has got 1 in the valence shell. The nucleus attraction force towards the valence electron is much weaker compare to magnesium (that is why sodium have lower ionization energy) So the valence electron in sodium can be donated more easily hence contributing to high reactivity. You can compare the electronegativity value of both elements, sodium is 0.93 while magenesium is 1.31... for metals, lower electronegativity means more reactive..