Group 1 metals

• Group one metals


  Also called the alkaline metals
• Group one metals have one electron in their outer energy level
• Reaction of group one metals with oxygen

  1. Lithium reacts with oxygen to form lithium oxide

  2. Sodium reacts with oxygen to form sodium oxide

  3. Potassium reacts with oxygen to form potassium oxide
• As we move down group one

  The metals react more rapidly with oxygen
• Lithium atom


  • Has one outer electron
• Oxygen atom


  • Has six outer electrons
• Reaction of lithium with oxygen

  1. Lithium atom transfers outer electron to oxygen atom

  2. Lithium atoms become positive lithium ions

  3. Oxygen atom becomes negative oxide ion
• Balanced equation for reaction of lithium with oxygen: 4Li + O2 → 2Li2O
• Reaction of group one metals with chlorine

  1. Lithium atom transfers outer electron to chlorine atom

  2. Lithium atom becomes positive lithium ion

  3. Chlorine atom becomes negative chloride ion
• Balanced equation for reaction of lithium with chlorine: 2Li + Cl2 → 2LiCl
• Group one metals


  Alkaline metals, have one electron in their energy level
• How group one metals react with water

  1. Lithium reacts with water

  2. Sodium reacts with water

  3. Potassium reacts with water
• Reaction of group one metals with water

  • Effervescence/fizzing (gas produced)
  • Alkaline solution formed
• As we move down group one


  The group one metals react more rapidly with water
• Reason for increased reactivity down group one

  • Increasing atomic radius (outer electron less attracted to nucleus)
  • Increasing shielding (outer electron more repelled by inner electrons)
• The group one metals get more reactive as we move down the group