2.3 Group 1 – The Alkali Metals

Question 1

What are the elements in group one called?

Answer 1

The alkali metals

Question 2

How do the melting points and boiling points change going down the group of alkali metals?

Answer 2

The melting points and boiling points decrease going down the group

Question 3

What do the alkali metals all react with?

Answer 3

The metals all react with water to produce hydrogen and an alkaline solution containing the metal hydroxide

Question 4

What charged irons do alkali metals form?

Answer 4

They form 1+ ions in reactions to make ionic compounds

Question 5

What properties do alkali metal ions have?

Answer 5

They are generally white and dissolving water, giving colourless solutions

Question 6

What happened to the reactivity of alkali metals going down the group?

Answer 6

The reactivity of the alkali metals increases going down the group

Question 7

What properties do alkali metals have?

Answer 7

All the alkali metals are very reactive, they have to be stored in oil to stop them reacting with oxygen in the air.

Question 8

What alkali metals are the least and most reactive?

Answer 8

Lithium is the least reactive alkali metal and francium is the most reactive