Group 1 - The Alkali Metals

Question 1

Describe an alkali metal

Answer 1

Silvery solid

Question 2

How should you store alkali metals? What should you use to hold them?

Answer 2

In oil

Handle with forceps

Question 3

Describe the reactivity for alkali metals. Why?

Answer 3

As you go down the group, the elements get more reactive because the outer electron is more easily lost, because it’s further from the nucleus. (More shielding and less attraction from the nucleus)

Question 4

Describe the melting and boiling points of alkali metals

Answer 4

Lower melting and boiling points the further down the group you go

Question 5

Which group are alkali metals in?

Answer 5

1 (obviously!)

Question 6

Describe the density of alkali metals

Answer 6

Low density, first 3 are less dense than water

Question 7

Name 5 alkali metals

Answer 7

Lithium, Sodium, Potassium, Rubidium, and Caesium

Question 8

How many outer electrons do alkali metals have? What effect does this have?

Answer 8

One outer electron

Very reactive and gives them all similar properties

Question 9

Alkali metals form [ ] compounds with [ ].

Answer 9

Ionic

Non-metals

Question 10

Describe the compound made after ionic bonding

Answer 10

White

Dissolve in water to form a colourless solution

Question 11

What is produced when an alkali metal reacts with water?

Answer 11

Hydrogen gas

Question 12

Describe what you would see when lithium, sodium or potassium react with water

Answer 12

React vigourously

They float and move around the surface, fizzing furiously

Question 13

Which element gets hot enough to ignite the hydrogen gas when it reacts with water?

Answer 13

Potassium

Question 14

How can you test for hydrogen gas?

Answer 14

Put a lighted splint above the reaction and if hydrogen gas is produced a ‘squeaky pop’ can be heard

Question 15

Alkali metals form that dissolve in water to give [ ] solutions

Answer 15

Hydroxides

Alkaline