Alkali Metals (Group 1)

• Alkali metals are in group:

  1
• Alkali metals are good conductors of heat and electricity. They are soft and malleable, and when cut are shiny. They have low melting points
• As you go down group 1, the reactivity increases. They react with water and produces:


  an alkali metal hydroxide + hydrogen
• Lithium fizzes:

  steadily
• Sodium fizzes:

  rapidly
• Potassium:

  sparks and produces a lilac flame due to the hydrogen burning
• Lithium, Sodium and Potassium are all less dense than water, so they float. They are stored in oil to keep air and water away, so it doesnt react.