Group 1 Alkali Metals

Question 1

What metals are in group 1?

Answer 1

Lithium , sodium, potassium, rubidium, caesium, francium

First column downwards

Question 2

What are similar about these metals ?

Answer 2

They all have one outer electron, this means they all have similar properties:

Low melting and boiling points
Very soft
For ionic compounds, as they only lose 1 electron easily

Question 3

Why are group 1 metals very reactive?

Answer 3

As they lose their singular electron to form a 1+ ion, this means it can reacted easily and further down you go the more reactive it gets as it’s further away form nucleus meaning there is less force of attractions between the edge electron and nucleus

Question 4

Why do reactions with cold water make hydroxide and hydrogen?

Answer 4

As alkalis react vigorously, this makes a hydrogen gas and hydroxide .
Eg

Sodium + water -> sodium hydroxide x hydrogen

Question 5

What does the reactivity in water increase down the group ?

Answer 5

As the outer electron is lost more easily and this causes a more violent reaction. Eg

Lithium will move around the surface fizzing
Sodium and potassium do the same but also melt due to heat , also potassium is so reactive it cold ignite the hydrogen gas