As alkali metals go down the group, the atom's radius increases, weakening the attractive force between the positive nucleus and the outer negative electron, making it easier for the electron to be lost and increasing reactivity
Alkali metals almost always form ionic compounds with non-metals because they can easily lose their outer electrons
When alkali metals react with water, they produce a metal hydroxide and hydrogen gas
Alkali metals react vigorously when heated in chlorine gas, forming white metal chloride salts
When alkali metals react with oxygen, they form metal oxides, with the type of oxide formed depending on the particular metal
