The Alkali Metals

Question 1

What are the Alkali Metals

Answer 1

These are the metals in group 1 of the Periodic Table

Question 2

What is the trend in the boiling point in group 1

Answer 2

As you go down, the boiling point of metals decreases.

Question 3

What is the trend in the melting point in group 1

Answer 3

As you go down, the melting also decreases.

Question 4

What is the trend in softness in group 1

Answer 4

As you go down, the metals get softer.

Question 5

What is the trend in reactivity in group 1

Answer 5

As you go down, the reactivity of the metals increases.

Question 6

Why are group 1 metals stored in a special way

Answer 6

To stop them from reacting with Oxygen

Question 7

Why are certain elements put in Group 1

Answer 7

1. They all have 1 electron in their outermost shell.
2. They all have similar properties:
   - They all react with water generally in the same way and form a hydroxide plus hydrogen

• They all react with halogens to form compounds that have the formula MX
• They all form ions with a 1+ charge
• They all react with oxygen to form an oxide with the formula M2X

Question 8

Why do group 1 elements react in the same way

Answer 8

Because they all have 1 electron in their outermost shell.

Question 9

What are the observations in sodium reacting with water

Answer 9

1. The Sodium Fizzess as it reacts with water.
2. The sodium floats on top of the surface of the water.
3. If forms into a ball, because the heat produced is very high and melts the sodium into a ball.
4. The sodium gets smaller as time passes.

Question 10

Compare the reactions of lithium and sodium in water

Answer 10

• Lithium fizzes slower
• Lithium disappears slower
• Lithium moves around slower.

Question 11

What determines the reactivity of an Element in group 1

Answer 11

How easy it is to lose the outermost electron