Chapter 17, Problem 10STP

To determine

To Explain: The sodium and potassium do not occur naturally in its elemental form.

Answer to Problem 10STP

Sodium and potassium are not found in its elementary form because these metals are highly reactive. If they exist in the elementry form, they get oxidised easily.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Metals are those elements of the periodic table which have a shining surface, show the malleability property and ductility property, form alloy with the other metals. Sodium and potassium are the metals and they are very soft. They are easily cut with the help of knife.

The electronic configuration of sodium with atomic number 11 is,

  $1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^{2}3s^1$

Similarly, the electronic configuration of potassium is,

  $1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^{6}3s^{2}3p^{6}4s^1$

Potassium readily reacts with water; therefore, it is not found in its elemental form. Even potassium is found in various minerals. Sodium is also highly reactive element; therefore, it never occurs in the free state in earth’s crust.

Conclusion:

Due to the high reactivity of these metals, they do not naturally occur in its elemental form.