How does the chemical reactivity of copper compare to potassium?

Copper is less reactive than potassium.

Copper and potassium are both elements found on the periodic table, but they have very different levels of reactivity. Copper is a transition metal, which means it's found in the middle of the periodic table. These metals are known for their low reactivity. Copper, in particular, is very stable and doesn't readily react with other elements. It's often used in wiring and pipes because it doesn't corrode easily.

On the other hand, potassium is an alkali metal, found in Group 1 of the periodic table. Alkali metals are known for their high reactivity. They readily lose their outermost electron in a reaction, making them very reactive. Potassium, for example, will react violently with water, producing hydrogen gas and a strong alkali solution.

The difference in reactivity between copper and potassium can be explained by their electron configurations. Copper has a full outer electron shell, which makes it stable and less likely to engage in chemical reactions. Potassium, however, has one electron in its outer shell, which it wants to lose in order to achieve a stable electron configuration. This makes potassium much more reactive than copper.

In summary, copper and potassium have different levels of reactivity due to their positions on the periodic table and their electron configurations. Copper is a low-reactivity transition metal, while potassium is a high-reactivity alkali metal.