8.1.1

Alkali Metals

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Alkali Metals

Elements found in Group 1 (found on the left-hand side of the periodic table) are referred to as the alkali metals. Their outer shell has 1 electron in it, which is usually given away in chemical reactions.

Illustrative background for Lithium (Li)Illustrative background for Lithium (Li) ?? "content

Lithium (Li)

  • Lithium has the electron structure (2,1).
  • Lithium is the least reactive of the alkali metals.
  • Lithium burns with a crimson flame when it reacts with oxygen.
  • Lithium floats on the surface of water and will release bubbles of hydrogen gas (it effervesces).
Illustrative background for Sodium (Na)Illustrative background for Sodium (Na) ?? "content

Sodium (Na)

  • Sodium has the electron structure (2,8,1).
  • Sodium is more reactive than lithium because its outer electron is less strongly attracted to the positively charged nucleus. This is because it is a greater distance from the positive charge of the atom's nucleus.
  • The metal floats on the surface of water, which releases enough heat to melt the sodium. The sodium moves quickly across the surface of the water.
  • Sodium burns with a yellow/orange flame when it reacts with oxygen.
Illustrative background for Potassium (K)Illustrative background for Potassium (K) ?? "content

Potassium (K)

  • Potassium has the electron structure (2,8,8,1).
  • It's more reactive than lithium and sodium because its outer electron is least strongly attracted to the nucleus.
  • The metal floats on the surface and then it burns with a lilac flame when it reacts with oxygen.

Jump to other topics

1States of Matter

2Elements, Compounds & Mixtures

3Atomic Structure

4The Periodic Table

5Chemical Formulae, Equations & Calculations

6Bonding

7Electrolysis

8Groups of the Periodic Table

9The Atmosphere

10Reactivity Series

11Metal Extraction

12Acids & Alkalis

13Chemical Tests

14Physical Chemistry

15Organic Chemistry

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