Group 1 alkali metals

• What are the group 1 elements known as?

  Alkali metals
• Which elements are included in the alkali metals?

  Lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, and francium
• How do alkali metals differ from most other metals?

  They are relatively soft, have low densities, and low melting points
• What is the reactivity of alkali metals compared to other metals?

  They are much more reactive than other metals
• With which substances do alkali metals react vigorously?

  Water, oxygen, and group 7 elements such as chlorine
• What happens to the reactivity of alkali metals as you go down the group?

  The elements become more reactive
• Which alkali metal can ignite spontaneously at room temperature?

  Cesium
• What trend occurs in melting and boiling points as you go down the group of alkali metals?

  Melting points and boiling points decrease
• Why do alkali metals react easily?

  They have one electron in their outermost shell that they can easily lose
• What charge do alkali metals become when they lose their outer electron?

  They become a one positive ion
• How does the atomic radius affect the reactivity of alkali metals?

  A larger atomic radius weakens the attractive force on the outer electron
• What does the term reactivity refer to in chemistry?

  It refers to how easily atoms can lose or gain electrons
• What type of compounds do alkali metals typically form with non-metals?

  They almost always form ionic compounds
• What happens when sodium reacts with chlorine?

  Sodium donates an electron to chlorine, forming sodium chloride
• What is the appearance of ionic compounds formed by alkali metals?

  They are generally white solids
• How do ionic compounds behave in water?

  They tend to dissolve in water and form colorless solutions
• What do alkali metals produce when they react with water?

  They produce a metal hydroxide and hydrogen gas
• What is the reaction equation for sodium reacting with water?

  Na + H2O → NaOH + H2
• How does the energy released in reactions change as you go down the group?

  The reactions release more energy
• What do alkali metals form when they react with chlorine gas?

  They form white metal chloride salts
• What is the reaction equation for sodium reacting with chlorine?

  Na + Cl2 → NaCl
• What do alkali metals form when they react with oxygen?

  They form metal oxides
• What is the reaction equation for lithium reacting with oxygen?

  Li + O2 → Li2O
• What can sodium and oxygen also react to form besides sodium oxide?

  They can also form sodium peroxide
• What types of oxides can potassium form when reacting with oxygen?

  Potassium can form potassium peroxide or potassium superoxide
• What are the key properties and trends of alkali metals?

  • Soft, low density, low melting points
  • More reactive as you go down the group
  • Form ionic compounds with non-metals
  • Produce metal hydroxides and hydrogen gas when reacting with water
  • Form white metal chloride salts when reacting with chlorine
  • Form metal oxides when reacting with oxygen
• What is a good study method for remembering alkali metal reactions?

  • Use flashcards to practice reaction equations
  • Focus on key products formed in reactions
  • Review trends in reactivity and properties