Group 1: The Alkali Metals Flashcards

All 6 cards in this deck

What are the Group 1 elements called, and what electron arrangement gives them their characteristic properties?

The alkali metals — they have a single electron in their outer shell.

What are the products when an alkali metal reacts with water?

e.g. potassium

A metal hydroxide and hydrogen.

$2\mathrm{K} + 2\mathrm{H_2O} \rightarrow 2\mathrm{KOH} + \mathrm{H_2}$

Give three observations when a small piece of potassium is added to water.

It floats, melts and moves around on the surface; there is effervescence and a lilac flame, and the metal gets smaller.

What is formed when an alkali metal reacts with chlorine?

e.g. sodium

A white metal chloride salt.

$2\mathrm{Na} + \mathrm{Cl_2} \rightarrow 2\mathrm{NaCl}$

What is formed when an alkali metal reacts with oxygen?

e.g. lithium

A metal oxide.

$4\mathrm{Li} + \mathrm{O_2} \rightarrow 2\mathrm{Li_2O}$

What is the trend in reactivity going down Group 1, and why?

Reactivity increases: the outer electron is further from the nucleus, so there is less attraction and the electron is lost more easily.