Answer:
Explanation:
The vertical columns of the periodic table are known as groups, while the horizontal rows of the periodic table are called periods. All the elements that belong to a group have the same valence, and therefore, they have characteristics or properties similar to each other. That is, in each group the elements with the same number of electrons appear in the last occupied level or valence shell. For example, all elements in group 13 contain 3 electrons in their outermost shell.
On the other hand, in each period the elements appear whose last level of their electronic configuration coincides with the number of the period. For example, period 3 includes elements whose outermost electrons are at level 3.
So, in this case the element belongs to period 3 and group 1. When locating it in the periodic table, the element is sodium (Na).
The alkali metals correspond to Group 1 of the Periodic Table. So sodium is an alkali metal. It is characterized by its high reactivity, due to the fact that they form chemical bonds with many types of substances and elements and that they do it easily. This is due to its high electronegativity and the ease of releasing its electron from the outermost layer.