1.3 Group 1: The Alkali Metals Flashcards
Why are they called alkali metals?
They react with water to produce hydrogen and an alkaline solution containing the metal hydroxide
What state are the alkali metals at room temperature?
Soft solids
Describe the melting and boiling points as you go down the group?
They are low and decrease as you go down
What 3 alkali metals float in water and why?
- lithium
- sodium
- potassium
Because they have low densities
How many electrons do all alkali metals have in their outer shell?
1
Describe the ion of an alkali metal?
Single positive charge because they all lose 1 electron
What are formed when the alkali metals react with the halogens?
Salts that are white or colourless crystals
What solutions are formed when compounds of alkali metals are dissolved in water?
Colourless solutions
Why does the reactivity increase as you go down the group of alkali metals?
The outer electron is less strongly attracted to the nucleus because the number of occupied energy levels increases and the atoms get larger
What 2 things do alkali metals react very easily with?
Air and water
