Group 1 alkali metals

• Describe 4 unusual properties of the alkali metals compared to transission metals?


  They are soft (can be cut with a knife), they tarnish quickly in air, They have low melting points and are extreamly reactive with oxygen and water
• Write a word symbol for the reaction potassium and oxygen


  potassium + oxygen = potassium oxide
• Describe 2 observations when lithium reacts with water


  It will dissolve, Bubbles will form
• If universal indicator (iodine) to water when lithium is placed into water, describe what would be seen?


  The universal indicator would change from green to blue showing the formation of an alkali
• Write a word equation for lithium reacting with water?

  Lithium + water = lithium hydroxide + hydrogen
• Why are G1 metals so reactive?

  they are all in G1 so have 1 electron on their outer shell. They lose this electron to gain a full outer shell and become chemically stable. This forms a positive ion.