Group 1 - Alkali Metals Flashcards
name the first 4 metals and their symbol
Li - Lithium
Na - sodium
K - potassium
Rb - Rubidium
What do all alkali metals have
One outer electron - they have similar chemical properties
Alkali metal physical properties
Low melting point
Low boiling point
Very soft - cut with knife
What do alkali metals produce when they react with water
Hydroxide and Hydrogen gas
What happens when alkali metals react in water
They react vigorously- increase of reaction further down the group
How do you know hydrogen gas is present
You will hear a squeaky pop if hydrogen is present when alkali metal is lit
What does the reaction produce
Hydrogen gas and hydroxide
What happens further down in the group
They get more reactive
The outer electron is easily lost as further away from the nucleus - less strongly attached to nucleus = less energy is needed to remove the electron
Reaction for potassium and water equation
Potassium + water —> potassium hydroxide + hydrogen
Symbol equation for reaction for potassium and water
2K + 2H2O —> 2KOH + H2
Reaction for sodium and water
Sodium+water—>sodium hydroxide+hydrogen
Symbol equation for reaction of Sodium and water
2Na + 2H2O —> 2NaOH + H2
Reaction for lithium
Move around surface and fizz furiously
Reaction for sodium and potassium
Move around surface and fizz furiously … also MELT in the heat of reaction
POTASSIUM - gets hot enough to IGNITE the hydrogen gas being produced
What’s the theme of reaction
As you go down the group, the alkali metal reacts more violently with water … and start to explode 😳😳
