What is the relationship between atomic size and reactivity?

Can you explain how atomic size affects the reactivity of elements?

Sure! Generally, as atomic size increases, reactivity also increases for metals, while it decreases for nonmetals.

Why does reactivity increase for metals as atomic size increases?

Larger metal atoms have more electron shells, making it easier to lose their outermost electrons, thus increasing reactivity.

And what about nonmetals? Why does their reactivity decrease with larger atomic size?

For nonmetals, larger atomic size means the outer electrons are further from the nucleus, making it harder to attract additional electrons.

Can you give examples of metals and nonmetals that illustrate this relationship?

Certainly! For metals, sodium is more reactive than lithium. For nonmetals, fluorine is more reactive than iodine.