These models show the electron structures of two different nonmetal elements.

which element is likely more reactive, and why?

a.) element 1 is more reactive because it has fewer electron shells and is toward the top of its group on the periodic table.

b.) element 1 is more reactive because it has more electrons in its valence shell and is farther to the right on the periodic table.

c.) element 2 is more reactive because it does not have a valence shell close to the nucleus, so it will attract electrons.

d.) element 2 is more reactive because it does not have a full valence shell, so it will attract electrons.

Option (D) is the correct answer.

Explanation:

Valence shell is the shell present on the outermost core of an atom and electrons present in the valence shell are known as valence electrons.

If an atom has completely filled valence shell then it means the atom is not reactive in nature because it is already stable.

But when an atom has less than eight electrons in its valence shell then it means to attain stability the atom will readily attract electrons towards itself.

As the given element 1 has 8 electrons in its valence shell. Hence, it is not reactive in nature but element 2 has 6 valence electrons. So, in order to attain stability element 2 will readily attract 2 electrons from a donor atom.

Thus, we can conclude that element 2 is more reactive because it does not have a full valence shell, so it will attract electrons.

radioactive decay occurs in unstable atomic nuclei – that is, ones that don't have enough binding energy to hold

the nucleus together due to an excess of either protons or neutrons.

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