Question

Which of the following atoms is the least chemically stable

a) A sodium atom
b) A magnesium atom
c) A aluminium atom
d) A helium atom

Answer 1

Question #40783, Chemistry, Organic Chemistry

Question

Which of the following atoms is the least chemically stable

a) a sodium atom

b) a magnesium atom

c) an aluminium atom

d) a helium atom

Answer

a) A sodium atom is the least chemically stable, because it is highly reactive at standard temperature and pressure and readily loses its outermost electron to form cations with charge +1. E.g. it easily oxidized by air, react with water etc.