Group 1: Alkali Metals

lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, caesium and francium

Properties

Form alkaline solutions when they react with water

Share similar properties - have one electron in their outermost shell - such as…

• Very reactive (only need to lose 1 electron to become stable)

• Soft and easy to cut - get softer down the group

• The first three are less dense than water – they float!

• Have low melting points that get lower down the group

Group 1 metals get more reactive down the group

Easier to lose its outer electron to form 1+ ions

The next shell down is already full – stable arrangement!

Down Grp 1, the number of electron shells increases…

• Outer electron gets further away from the nucleus - weaker forces of attraction between the outer electron and the positive nucleus

• Less energy is needed to overcome the force of attraction - gets weaker so electron is lost more easily

• So, they get more reactive as you go down the group

Use electronic configuration to support your answers in exams.

Reactions

Alkali metals are stored in oil to stop them from reacting with oxygen & water

Reactions with Water

With oxygen...

With chlorine...