Group 1 elements

• Group 1


  The alkali metals
• Alkali metals


  • Silvery solids
  • Have to be stored in oil (and away from contact) as they're very active
• Group 1 elements


  • Lithium
  • Sodium
  • Potassium
  • Rubidium
  • Caesium
  • Francium
• Alkali metals


  • Reactive
  • Soft metals
  • Low density
• The first three in the group are less dense than water
• Outer shell


  Alkali metals have one electron in their outer shell
• This makes them very reactive and gives them similar properties
• Trends of alkali metals as you go down Group 1

  • Decreasing reactivity
  • Decreasing melting and boiling points
  • Increasing relative atomic mass
• Ionic compounds


  Alkali metals form ionic compounds with non-metals
• Alkali metals only ever react to form ionic compounds
• These ionic compounds are usually white solids that dissolve in water to form colourless solutions
• Alkali metal atom forming an ion

  1. Loses one electron

  2. Forms a +1 ion
• Activity of Group 1 metals

  Increases as you go down the group
• Reaction of alkali metals with water

  1. Produces hydrogen gas

  2. Produces metal hydroxides
• Reactivity of alkali metals with water

  The more reactive the alkali metal, the more violent the reaction
• Energy released by alkali metal reaction with water


  Increases going down the group
• Reaction of alkali metals with chlorine

  Forms white metal chloride salts
• Reactivity of alkali metals with chlorine

  Increases going down the group
• Reaction of alkali metals with oxygen


  Forms metal oxides, peroxides, and superoxides
• Group 1 metals are much more reactive than transition metals
• Group 1 metals are much less dense, strong and hard than transition metals, and have much lower melting points
• The alkali metals are called alkali metals because they react with water to give alkaline solutions