Group 1

• Alkali metals = the elements in group 1; typically soft and have relatively low melting points.
• Flame test = test used to identify metal ions - a nichrome wire loop is inserted with an unknown compound onto a flame and the colour is observed

  A) Nichrome wire loop

  
• Alkali metals are group 1 elements
• Alkali metals' reactivity increase down the group (they react by losing an electron, further down the group the outer shell is further from the pspositiveoitive nucleus so electrons can be lost easier)
• Alkali metals' boiling + melting points decrease down the group
• Group 1 elements = metals
• group 1 metals react instantly with Oxygen gas in the air to produce a metal oxide (white solid) They are stored in oil to prevent this
• Alkali metal reactions with oxygen general equation = 4M + O^2 = 2M,2O
• heated alkali metals burn with a coloured flame when added to a jar of oxygen
• heated lithium = red
• heated sodium = yellow flame
• heated potassium = lilac flame
• (group 2) calcium = brick red
• (group 2) barium = apple green flame
• Alkali metal reactions with oxygen happen at room temp, freshly cut shiny surface tarnishes
• tarnishes = goes dull
• Alkali metals reactions with water = hydrogen gas + metal hydroxide (hydrogen gas would produce bubbles/fizzing
• Metal hydroxide = alkali = universal indicator turns blue/purple
• test for hydrogen = lit splint burns with a squeaky pop
• metal + water = metal hydroxide + hydrogen
• general symbol equation for group 1 metals reacting with water = 2M+ 2H₂O = 2MOH + H₂
• The less reactive = the more energy externally needed to react (e.g. by heating)