Sodium reacts with water more vigorously than lithium because

Options

A. It has high atomic mass
B. It is more electronegative
C. It is more electropositive
D. It is a metal

Answer

To understand why sodium reacts with water more vigorously than lithium, we can break down the reasoning into clear steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Elements**: We are comparing sodium (Na) and lithium (Li), both of which are alkali metals in Group 1 of the periodic table.

2. **Understand Reactivity in Alkali Metals**: Alkali metals are known for their reactivity with water, which produces hydroxides and hydrogen gas. The reactivity generally increases as you move down the group in the periodic table.

3. **Electropositivity**: Sodium is more electropositive than lithium. Electropositivity refers to the ability of an atom to donate electrons. Sodium has a larger atomic radius compared to lithium, which means its outermost electron is further from the nucleus and experiences less effective nuclear charge.

4. **Ease of Electron Loss**: Because sodium is more electropositive, it can lose its outermost electron more easily than lithium. This makes sodium more reactive with water.

5. **Conclusion**: Therefore, sodium reacts with water more vigorously than lithium primarily because it is more electropositive, allowing it to lose its outer electron more readily.

### Final Answer:
Sodium reacts with water more vigorously than lithium because sodium is more electropositive.