Q14E - Chemistry (OpenStax)

Question

Is the reaction of rubidium with water more or less vigorous than that of sodium? How does the rate of reaction of magnesium compare?

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The reaction of rubidium with water is more vigorous than sodium with water because rubidium has lower first ionization energies.

 

Magnesium must release two electrons and its first ionization energy is higher than the first ionization energy of either sodium or rubidium.

Step 1: Rate of reaction

The rate of the reaction refers to the amount of reactants/products that get changed over a per unit of time. It gets affected by concentration, surface area, catalyst, and temperature.

Step 2: Determine the reaction of rubidium with water

Ionization energy is the minimal energy needed to remove a loose electron from an atom, molecule, or ion.

 

The reaction of rubidium with water is more vigorous than sodium with water because rubidium has lower first ionization energies, so less energy is needed for the reaction.

 

Magnesium will react slower for similar reasons. First, magnesium must release two electrons, and its first ionization energy is higher than the first ionization energy of either sodium or rubidium.