The group 1 elements

Question 1

How do group 1 metals react with water?

Answer 1

• They react vigorously with water
• Hydrogen gas is given off
• The metal oxide reacts with water to form an alkali the hydroxide of the metal

Question 2

Why do group 1 metals have similar properties?

Answer 2

Atoms of group 1 alkali metals have similar properties because they have one electron in the outer shell

Question 3

Atoms of alkali metals react, losing one electron and forming:

Answer 3

• A full outer shell, to create a stable electronic structure
• An ion, which has one more positive charge in its nucleus than negative electrons in the shells, so it becomes a positive ion.

Question 4

Why do group 1 metals increase in reactivity?

Answer 4

• The easier it is for an atom of an alkali metal to lose 1 electron, more reactive it is.
• An electron in outer shell is further from the nucleus so there is less attractive force so the electron so it is lost more easily

Question 5

Carrying out a flame test.

Answer 5

• A flame-test wire is moistened with dilute hydrochloric acid.
• The flame-test wire is dipped into the solid chemical.
• The flame test wire is put in a blue Bunsen burner.
• The colours of the flame are recorded

Question 6

Flame colours.

Answer 6

• Lithium red
• Sodium Yellow
• Potassium Lilac