Group 1

• 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 with low densities and 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 do alkali metals react vigorously with water?

  They lose one electron easily to become stable
• What is formed when an alkali metal reacts 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 is the reaction of sodium with chlorine?

  Sodium plus chlorine forms sodium chloride
• What do alkali metals form when they react with oxygen?

  Metal oxides
• What type of oxide does lithium form when reacting with oxygen?

  Lithium oxide
• What type of oxide does sodium form when reacting with oxygen?

  Sodium oxide
• What can potassium react with oxygen to form?

  Potassium peroxide or potassium superoxide
• What are the general properties of alkali metals?

  • Soft and low density
  • Low melting points
  • Highly reactive
  • Form ionic compounds with non-metals
• How do alkali metals react with water, chlorine, and oxygen?

  • Water: Produces metal hydroxide and hydrogen
  • Chlorine: Forms white metal chloride salts
  • Oxygen: Forms metal oxides
• What is the trend in melting and boiling points of alkali metals?

  • Melting and boiling points decrease down the group
• What is the significance of electron arrangement in alkali metals' reactivity?

  • One electron in outer shell
  • Easily loses one electron to become stable
• What can sodium and oxygen also react to form?

  Sodium peroxide
• What is the ionic bond in alkali metal compounds?

  • Formed by the attraction of oppositely charged ions
  • Example: Sodium donates an electron to chlorine