Group 1 - Alkali Metals

Question 1

Name the 6 elements in Group 1

Answer 1

Lithium
Sodium
Potassium
Rubidium
Caesium
Francium

Question 2

What are 3 properties of the Alkali metals

Answer 2

They have one electron on their outermost shell
They are silvery metals that are stored in oil.
They have low densites

Question 3

Reactivity of the alkali metals:

Answer 3

As you go down the group, the reactivity increases and this is because…

Group 1 metals lose one electron on their outer shell.
As you go down, the outer electron gets further away from the nucleus.
As a result of this distance, the attraction between the nucleus and outer electron is weaker, so the electrons can be easily lost

Question 4

Melting and Boiling points

Answer 4

As you go down the group the melting and boiling point decreases.

Less energy needed to overcome the bonds to melt or boil it

This is because of the atomic size increases and the attraction as it gets bigger

Question 5

The equation for alkali metal and water

Answer 5

Alkali metal + Water —> Metal Hydroxide + Hydrogen

Question 6

The equation for alkali metal and chlorine

Answer 6

Alkali metal + Chlorine —> Metal Chloride