Group 1 - chemical reactions with water

• What is the first vertical column of elements in the periodic table called?

  Group 1
• What do elements in the same group of the periodic table have in common?

  They have the same number of electrons in their outer shell.
• What is the significance of the similar chemical properties of group 1 elements?

  They react similarly with other substances.
• What happens to the atoms of a group 1 element during a reaction?

  They each lose one electron.
• What is formed when a group 1 element loses an electron?

  A positively charged ion.
• What do the ions formed from group 1 elements achieve by losing an electron?

  They attain a stable arrangement of electrons with a complete outer shell.
• What do alkali metals produce when they react with water?

  A metal hydroxide and hydrogen gas.
• Write the word equation for the reaction of sodium with water.

  sodium + water → sodium hydroxide + hydrogen
• Write the balanced symbol equation for the reaction of sodium with water.

  $2Na(s) +$$2H_2O(l) → 2NaOH(aq) +$$H_2(g)$
• What is sodium hydroxide classified as?

  An alkali.
• What is the pH of a solution formed by dissolving sodium hydroxide in water?

  Greater than 7.
• What color does a universal indicator turn in an alkaline solution?

  Blue or purple.
• What is the observation when lithium is added to water?

  Fizzes steadily and slowly becomes smaller until it disappears.
• What happens when sodium is added to water?

  Fizzes rapidly and melts to form a ball.
• What is the observation when potassium is added to water?

  Burns violently with sparks and a lilac flame.
• How does the reactivity of group 1 metals change as you move down the group?

  The reactivity increases.
• What would you predict happens when rubidium is added to water?

  It should melt quickly and burn violently, disappearing almost instantly.
• What are the observations when lithium, sodium, and potassium are added to water?

  • Lithium: Fizzes steadily; slowly becomes smaller until it disappears.
  • Sodium: Fizzes rapidly; melts to form a ball; quickly becomes smaller until it disappears.
  • Potassium: Burns violently with sparks and a lilac flame; quickly melts to form a ball; disappears rapidly, often with a small explosion.
• What are the general trends in the reactivity of group 1 elements?

  • Reactivity increases down the group.
  • Potassium reacts more vigorously than sodium.
  • Rubidium is expected to react even more vigorously than potassium.