Alkali Metals

Question 1

What is the trend of reactions in Alkali Metal?

Answer 1

All these metals are incredibly reactive and get more reactive as you go down the group. Group 1, only has one electron in the outer shell, so they only lose one electron. Group 2 is the same way just that they lose 2 electrons.

Question 2

What are the reactions with Water?

Answer 2

All these metals react the same way with water to produce a metal hydroxide + Hydrogen
Example For all Group 1:
2Na + 2H20 -> 2NaOH + H2

Question 3

What are the observations in Water?

Answer 3

Common observations:
Fizzed, bubbled, produced gas
Moved
Dissolved, solid got smaller
Floated

Unique to elements:
Sodium:
Turned into a white sphere

Potassium:
Gas self-ignited, purple flame

Calcium:
White solid produced

Magnesium:
Very small bubbles

Question 4

Reactions of the Alkali metals with the air

Answer 4

Group 1 elements are very quick to oxygen and they tarnish very quickly in the open air. Which is why they are stored in oil. The Metal reacts with oxygen to form an oxide.

Lithium:
Burns with a red flame to form lithium oxide Li20

Sodium:
Burns with a yellow flame to form sodium oxide Na20

Potassium:
Burns with a lilac flame to form potassium oxide K20

4M + 02 -> 2M2O