The Alkali Metals

Question 1

What group are the alkali metals?

Answer 1

1

Question 2

Properties of the alkali metals

Answer 2

-1 electron the their outer shell
-low density
-soft
-shiny when cut
-very reactive

Question 3

As you go down group 1, what are the trends?

Answer 3

-density increases
-melting point decreases
-reactivity increases

Question 4

Why does reactivity increase as you go down group 1?

Answer 4

When alkali metals react, the electron being lost is in the outer shell. As you go down group 1 the reactivity increases as the outer shell is further away from the nucleus and so the electron on the outer shell feels less attraction to the positive nucleus and is lost easier

Question 5

When alkali metals react, what charge ion do they become?

Answer 5

+1 ion as they loose 1 electron

Question 6

What do you observe when alkali metals react with water?

Answer 6

-fizzing/ bubble/ eversence
-floats and moves
-metal dissolves
-solution becomes alkali

Question 7

What do you observe when potassium reacts with water?

Answer 7

K melts into a ball and burns a lilac flame

Question 8

Potassium reacting with water symbol equation

Answer 8

2K + 2H2O —> 2KOH + H2