Reactivity of a Reaction?

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gettheleadout

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Is this a thing? The reactivity of a reaction? What? I've never heard of it, and I've had a LOT of exposure to gen chem.

Which of the following pairs of elements would have the most reactive reaction?

A) C and H
B) Cs and Cl
C) Ba and S
D) B and H

Answer in white with explanation: B. The reactivity of a reaction increases as the difference in size and electronegativity increases. This is because a reaction is more reactive when there is a more likely exchange of elections. Since Cs and Cl are the furthest from each other of the given pairs, they will have the strongest reaction.
 
I saw that question, and I would guess they mean favorability, so in the case of this question which reaction has the most negative change in enthalpy.
 
I actually just had this question today.

You have to approach this thinking "which two elements would combine to form the strongest ionic compound?"

In that case, you just want the two elements that are the farthest away from each other on the periodic table (metal + nonmetal). Looking at the periodic table, you see Cs and Cl are most obviously the furthest apart.
 
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