Question

two representations of the distribution of electrons in the potassium atom are shown.
model 1
1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁶4s¹
model 2
which model is useful in showing the reactivity of potassium?
neither model is able to show the reactivity of potassium.
model 1 because it shows an electron in the 4s orbital.
model 2 because it shows an electron in the outermost ring.
both models because each shows an electron in the outermost shell.

Explanation:

• Reactivity of an atom is mainly determined by the number of electrons in its outermost shell (valence electrons).
• Model 1: The electron configuration \(1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^{6}3s^{2}3p^{6}4s^{1}\) shows that the outermost shell (\(n = 4\)) has 1 electron.
• Model 2: The Bohr - model (shell - model) shows the electrons in different shells. The outermost shell has 1 electron.
• Both models indicate that there is 1 electron in the outermost shell, which is crucial for determining reactivity (as elements tend to lose, gain or share electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration, and for potassium, losing the outermost electron is its main reactivity behavior).

Answer:

Both models because each shows an electron in the outermost shell.