GROUP 1 ALKALI METALS

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  • Created by: Phoebe
  • Created on: 07-02-13 22:20

PROPERTIES OF ALKALI METALS

~PROPERTIES~

- Found in Group 1 of the periodictable. 

- Solids at room temperature.

- Low melting points compared to other metals. 

- Soft metals (can be cut with a knife)

- All alkali metals are held together with metallic bonding.

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REACTING WITH WATER

WHEN ALKALI METALS REACT WTH WATER:

-They form a METAL HYDROXIDE and HYDROGEN GAS

-Metal hydroxides are alkaline. 

For example:

lithium + water     >>>>>>   lithium hydroxide and hydrogen

2Li(s) + 2H20(l)   >>>>>>>> 2LiOH(aq) + H2(g)


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REACTIVITY OF ALKALI METALS

THE REACTIVITY OF THE METAL INCREASES AS YOU GO DOWN THE GROUP.

for example: Lithium reacting with water only floats on the water and fizzes, wheras Sodium reacts more vigorously that lithium and ALSO has a lower melting point

why? 

-elements at the BOTTOM of the periodic table have more electrons, so more electron shells as well than the elements at the top of the table. 

- this means outer electrons are much further away from the nucleus and the force between the positive and negative charges is much weaker.

- eg. the outer electron in CAESIUM is held much weaker than the outer electron in LITHIUM, and so is more reactive as it is lost easier. 

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