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 happens to the reactivity of alkali metals as you go down the group?

  They become more reactive
• Why do alkali metals react vigorously with water?

  They lose their outer electron easily
• What do alkali metals form when they react with water?

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

  Sodium plus water forms sodium hydroxide and 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 is the reaction of sodium with chlorine?

  Sodium plus chlorine forms sodium chloride
• What do alkali metals form when they react with oxygen?

  Metal oxides
• What is the oxide formed when lithium reacts with oxygen?

  Lithium oxide (Li₂O)
• What oxide does sodium form when it reacts with oxygen?

  Sodium oxide (Na₂O)
• What can sodium and oxygen also react to form?

  Sodium peroxide (Na₂O₂)
• What oxides can potassium form when reacting with oxygen?

  Potassium peroxide (K₂O₂) or potassium superoxide (KO₂)
• What are the general properties of alkali metal ionic compounds?

  • Generally white solids
  • Tend to dissolve in water
  • Form colorless solutions
• How do alkali metals react with water, chlorine, and oxygen?

  • React vigorously with water to form hydroxides and hydrogen
  • React vigorously with chlorine to form metal chlorides
  • React with oxygen to form metal oxides
• What is the trend in melting and boiling points of alkali metals as you go down the group?

  • Melting points decrease
  • Boiling points decrease
• Why do alkali metals form ionic compounds with non-metals?

  • They lose outer electrons easily
  • Form oppositely charged ions
  • Attracted by electrostatic forces