group 1

• what are group 1 metals known as?

  the alkali metals
• what type of solution do group 1 metals form when they react with water?

  alkaline solutions
• how many electrons do group 1 metals have in their outer shell?

  one
• group 1 metals are...

  soft - they can be easily cut with a knife

  low density and low melting points

  highly reactive - they only need to lose one electron to become highly stable
• what happens to the low melting points as you move down group 1?

  they get lower because the attractive forces between outer electrons and positive ions decrease
• what happens to the reactivity of group 1 as you go down?

  it increases

  • as you go down group 1, the number of shells of electrons increases by 1.
  • this means that the outer electron gets further away from the nucleus.
  • the forces of attraction between the nucleus and the outer electron get weaker
  • less energy is required to overcome the force of attraction, so the outer electron is lost more easily.
• the reactions of the alkali metals with water get more ________ as you descend the group, as with the other reactions.

  vigorous
• what is made when lithium reacts with water?

  lithium hydroxide and hydrogen
• what is made when sodium reacts with water?

  sodium hydroxide and hydrogen
• what is always made when an alkali metal reacts with water?

  metal hydroxide and hydrogen
• what are the 3 observations when Li reacts with H20?

  • slow reaction
  • lithium doesn't melt
  • fizzing can be seen and heard
• what are the 2 observations when Na reacts with H20?

  • lots of heat released, causing sodium to melt
  • hydrogen released catches fire, causing ball of sodium to dash across the surface
• what are the 3 observations when K reacts with H20?


  • reacts more violently than sodium
  • enough heat is released so hydrogen burns with a lilac flame
  • melts into a shiny ball that dashes around the surface
• of the alkali metals, which element is the least reactive?

  lithium
• of the alkali metals, which is the most reaction?

  francium
• what is formed when alkali metals react with oxygen in the air?

  metal oxides
• what is formed when group 1 metals are heated with chlorine gas?

  metal chloride