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, low density, and low 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 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
• How can you remember the trend in reactivity of alkali metals?

  Common table salt doesn't catch fire
• 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 a one positive ion
• How does the atomic radius affect the reactivity of alkali metals?

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

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

  Ionic compounds
• What happens when sodium reacts with chlorine?

  It forms sodium chloride
• What is the general appearance of ionic compounds formed by alkali metals?

  They are 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?

  A 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 type of oxides do alkali metals form when reacting with oxygen?

  Metal oxides
• What oxide does lithium form when it 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 reactions of alkali metals with water, chlorine, and oxygen?

  • React with water: produce metal hydroxide and hydrogen gas
  • React with chlorine: form white metal chloride salts
  • React with oxygen: form metal oxides
• What are the properties and trends of alkali metals?

  • Soft, low density, low melting points
  • More reactive down the group
  • Melting and boiling points decrease down the group
  • Form ionic compounds with non-metals
• How do alkali metals react with water and chlorine?

  • React vigorously with water to form hydroxides
  • React vigorously with chlorine to form chlorides
• What is the significance of ionic compounds formed by alkali metals?

  • Generally white solids
  • Tend to dissolve in water
  • Form colorless solutions