Group 1 (Alkali Metals)

• properties of the Group 1 metals:

  • Soft
  • Reactive
• • As you go down group 1, the metals become 

  more reactive.

  • Their melting and boiling points 

  decrease.
•  the reactivity of group 1 metals increases as you go down the group because:

  • The atomic radius increases down the group (the atoms get larger).
  • The force of attraction between the nucleus and outer electron decreases.
  • The electron is lost more easily (requires less energy to remove) from atoms lower down the group
• Alkali metal + water ➔ metal hydroxide + hydrogen
• When sodium reacts with chlorine it forms an ionic salt called sodium chloride.

  When solid, the normal colour of this salt is white