Based on the position on the periodic table, predict the relative reactivity of Cs and Ba
To predict the relative reactivity of Cs (cesium) and Ba (barium) based on their position on the periodic table, we can consider their group number.
Cesium belongs to Group 1 (alkali metals), while barium belongs to Group 2 (alkaline earth metals). Alkali metals are known to be very reactive because they have a single valence electron that is easily lost, while alkaline earth metals are also reactive but slightly less so.
Since Cs is in Group 1 and Ba is in Group 2, we can infer that cesium (Cs) will be more reactive than barium (Ba). This is because Cs has only one valence electron, making it easier for it to lose that electron and form a positive ion.
However, it's worth noting that the reactivity of an element can also be influenced by other factors such as atomic size, electronegativity, and the presence of additional valence electrons. But in general, based on their group number, cesium (Cs) would be expected to be more reactive than barium (Ba).