A demonstration of the difference between the reactivity of lithium, sodium, and potassium, and further that the activity of main-group metals increases as we go down a column of the periodic table.

The periodic table arranges all the chemical elements in a specific way. Patterns are visible in the way that elements behave, and this allows us to make predictions about other elements.

maximum oxidation state and reactivity. Sir Martyn says: “Think of the periodic table from the viewpoint of children looking for the first time at Mendeleev’s table hanging on the classroom wall. The ...