As you go down Group 1, the alkali metals become...
1- Bigger atoms
2- More reactive
3 - Higher density
4 - Lower melting point
5 - Lowing boiling point
1) The alkali metals are very reactive
Have to be stored in oil and handled with forceps
2) They are lithium, sodium,
potassium and a few others
Learn them! Also rubidium and caesium
3) All have 1 outer electron
Makes them very reactive and have similar properties
4) All form 1+ ions
Keen to lose their one outer electron
5) Always form ionic compounds
So keen to lose the outer electron there's no way they'd
consider sharing - covalent bonding out of the question
6) Reaction with water produces hydrogen gas
Nota:
1 - When lithium, sodium or potassium are put in water, they react very vigorously
2 - Move around the surface fizzing furiously
3 - Produce hydrogen - potassium gets hot enough to ignite it. A lighted splint will indicate hydrogen by producing the 'squeaky pop' as H2 ignites
4 - They form a hydroxide in solution - ie. aqueous OH- ions
2Na(s)+2H(2)0(l) = 2NaOH(aq)+H(2)(g)
2K(s)+2H(2)0(l)= 2KOH(aq)+H(2)(g)