Group 1 - Alkali metals

Low density
1. Float in water
React with other non-metals
1. Form ionic compounds
  1. Has 1 electron in outershell
    1. Needs to lose one electron
      1. Ion has +1 charge
React with water
1. Release hydrogen
2. e.g. Lithium + water -> Hydrogen + lithium Oxide
Form hydroxides
1. Hydroxides dissolve in water
  1. Give alkali solution
    1. OH- (Hydroxide) ions cause the solution to be alkali
Further down the group you go
1. The more reactive the element
  1. Bigger atom = electron is further from nucleus
    1. electrostatic forces between the nucleus and last electron are weaker
      1. shells create a shielding effect, reduces the positivity of the nucleus = more reactive
        So outer shell more easily lost
2. The lower the melting/boiling point
All soft
1. You can cut them with a knife

Resource summary

	Created by Simone Matthews over 9 years ago