Group 1 Elements

• What are group 1 elements known as


  Alkali metals
• Are alkali metals reactive


  They have 1 electron in their outer shell making them very reactive
• Properties of alkali metals


  Soft and low density
• Trends as you go down group 1


  1. increasing reactivity
  2. lower melting and boiling points
  3. higher relative atomic mass
• What do alkali metals form with non-metals


  Ionic compounds
• Alkali metals reacting with water


  React vigorously to produce hydrogen gas and metal hydroxides, more reactive and more violent as you go down the group, energy given out increases down the group
• Alkali metals reacting with chlorine


  React vigorously when heated in chlorine gas to form white metal chloride salts
• Alkali metals reacting with oxygen


  React to form a metal oxide

  1. lithium reacts to form lithium oxide
  2. sodium reacts to form a mixture of sodium oxide and sodium peroxide
• How does group 1 properties compare with transition metals

  More reactive, less dense, less strong, and less hard, much lower boiling points