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, francium
• How do alkali metals differ from most other metals?

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

  They are much more reactive than other metals
• What do alkali metals react vigorously with?

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

  They become more reactive
• Why does cesium ignite spontaneously at room temperature?

  It is extremely reactive
• What trend occurs in melting and boiling points as you go down the group?

  They decrease
• Why doesn't sodium catch fire when sprinkled on potatoes?

  It is less reactive than cesium
• Why are alkali metals so reactive?

  They have one electron in the outer shell
• What happens when alkali metals lose their outer electron?

  They become one positive ions
• How does the atomic radius affect reactivity in alkali metals?

  Increased radius weakens electron attraction
• What does the term reactivity refer to?

  How easily atoms lose or gain electrons
• What type of compounds do alkali metals typically form?

  Ionic compounds with non-metals
• What happens when sodium reacts with chlorine?

  It forms sodium chloride
• What is an ionic bond?

  Attraction between oppositely charged ions
• What color are ionic compounds generally?

  White solids
• How do ionic compounds behave in water?

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

  Metal hydroxide and hydrogen gas
• What is the reaction of sodium with water?

  Sodium + water → sodium hydroxide + hydrogen
• What happens to the energy released in reactions as you go down the group?

  More energy is released
• What do alkali metals form when they react with chlorine gas?

  White metal chloride salts
• What type of oxide does lithium form when reacting with oxygen?

  Lithium oxide
• What is the formula for lithium oxide?

  $Li_2O$
• What does sodium form when it reacts with oxygen?

  Sodium oxide
• What is the formula for sodium oxide?

  $Na_2O$
• What can potassium form when reacting with oxygen?

  Potassium peroxide or potassium superoxide
• What are the reactions of alkali metals with water, chlorine, and oxygen?

  • Water: Produces metal hydroxide and hydrogen gas
  • Chlorine: Forms white metal chloride salts
  • Oxygen: Forms metal oxides
• What are the general properties of alkali metals?

  • Soft and low density
  • Low melting points
  • Highly reactive
  • Form ionic compounds with non-metals
• What trends occur in alkali metals as you go down the group?

  • Increased reactivity
  • Decreased melting and boiling points
  • Larger atomic radius