Select the element that will lose an electron most easily, based on the periodic trend.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

K (Potassium) will lose an electron most easily among the options given. This is because as you move down a group in the periodic table, the atomic size increases due to the addition of more electron shells. This increase in size results in the outermost electron being further away from the nucleus, which in turn weakens the nuclear charge's hold on that electron. Therefore, it becomes easier for the atom to lose the electron. Potassium (K) is lower in the group than both Lithium (Li) and Sodium (Na), making it the most likely to lose an electron easily among the given choices. Helium (He), being a noble gas, has a full outer electron shell, making it very stable and unlikely to lose an electron.

Select the Element That Will Lose an Electron Most Easily