jay heremy q is that as we move from bottom to top IN PERIODIC TABLE the no of SHELLS decreases. So, the electron holding force also increases [1/r2] .therefore as we move down wards vice versa occurs. i.e the holding force decreases.therefore , as we move downwards the reactivity must increase as it easily loses the electron.IS THISCORRECT?

Yes,

If we are talking about metals, the reactivity increases. Because the holding power of the nucleus for the valence electrons decreases. But for the non-metals the reactivity decreases as they gain an electron to complete their octet and hence as we move down the periodic table, the power of holding the gained electron decreases and so the reactivity decreases.

Thanks and Regards

Apoorva Arora

IIT Roorkee

askIITians Faculty