Group 1 alkalis

Question 1

What are the elements in group 1 called?

Answer 1

Alkali metals

Question 2

Why does the reactivity increase as you go down group 1?

Answer 2

The reactivity of group 1 elements increases as you go down the group because the atoms become larger, which means that the outer electron becomes further from the nucleus.

This in turn means that the electrostatic attraction between the positive nucleus and the outer negative electron decreases in strength.

As a result the outer electron will be lost more easily, and so the element will be more reactive.

Question 3

What two products are formed when alkali metals react with water?

Answer 3

metal hydroxide and hydrogen

Question 4

What happens when sodium reacts with chloride?

Answer 4

it forms an ionic salt called sodium chloride, when solid the colour of the salt is white

Question 5

What does lithium react with oxygen to form?

Answer 5

lithium oxide Li 2 0

Question 6

What does sodium react with oxygen to form?

Answer 6

sodium oxide Na 2 0

Question 7

What does potassium react with oxygen to form?

Answer 7

potassium peroxide k2o2