Open in App Sign In

Density increases down the group from lithium to caesium, then why is
pottasium lighter than sodium?

Ad by Y-Jesus.com

Is Jesus’ resurrection a hoax?

Know the shocking truth about the resurrection of Jesus Christ!

Read More

4 Answers

Gaurav Kirti, studied Science at B.D.M. International

Updated December 24, 2018 · Author has 52 answers and 355.6K answer views

Though there is a trend in increasing density down the groups in the periodic table, there is an exception in
the density trend between sodium and potassium. The exception is that although the atomic mass
increases and the number of protons increase for potassium, its density is less than that for sodium.

Basically, as you go down a group the elements are heavier because they contain more protons and
neutrons in their nuclei. But working against this is the fact that the increased nuclear charge tends to pull
all the electrons closer, resulting in a smaller atomic radius and hence a higher density.

Density down a group generally increases, with the notable exception of potassium being less dense than
sodium.

Density is inversely proportional to the volumes of the atoms and directly proportional to their masses.
Basically, in the case of sodium and potassium the increase in shell size outweighs the pull of the core on
the outer shell electron and so potassium is less dense than sodium. When we more from Na to K, effect
of increase in volume is more pronounced as compared to effect of increase in atomic mass. Due to this
Open in App
potassium is less dense than sodium.