The Group 1 elements in the Periodic Table are known as the alkali metals.

They include lithium,

sodium and potassium, which all react vigorously with air and water.

The reactivity of the alkali metals increases down the group. Flame tests are used to identify
alkali metal ions in compounds.

Alkali metals

Group 1 of the periodic table

The Group 1 elements, which include lithium (Li), sodium (Na) and potassium (K) are also
known as the alkali metals. They all have one electron in the outer shell and so they have
similar properties.

Common properties
The alkali metals have the following properties in common:

they have low melting and boiling points compared to most other metals
they are very soft and can be cut easily with a knife
they have low densities (lithium, sodium and potassium will float on water)
they react quickly with water, producing hydroxides and hydrogen gas
their hydroxides and oxides dissolve in water to form alkaline solutions

Reaction with air and water

Potassium reacts with a lilac flame

Lithium, sodium and potassium all react vigorously with water. Hydrogen gas bubbles off and,
in the case of potassium, this burns with a lilac flame. The metal hydroxide is formed which is a
strong alkali.

Alkali metals need to be stored under oil to prevent them reacting with the oxygen and water
vapour in the air.

The reactivity of the alkali metals increases down the group. Potassium reacts more vigorously
than sodium and lithium is the least reactive.

THE ALKALI METALS

2.6 describe the reactions of lithium, sodium and potassium with water and understand that the
reactions provide a basis for their recognition as a family of elements

Sodium, lithium and potassium all float, fizz and move around the surface when reacted with water.
Sodium and potassium also melt into a ball and potassium burns with a lilac flame.

2.7 recall the relative reactivities of the elements in Group 1

Group 1 metals (aka alkali metals) are more reactive the further you go down the group.

Group 1 Metals + Water

Alkali Metal: Hydroxide Solution Produced: Gas Produced: Rate of Gas Produced:

Lithium Lithium Hydroxide Hydrogen Fairly Vigorous

Sodium Sodium Hydroxide Hydrogen Vigorous

Potassium Potassium Hydroxide Hydrogen Very Vigorous

Rubidium Rubidium Hydroxide Hydrogen Explosive

Caesium Caesium Hydroxide Hydrogen Extremely Explosive

2.8 explain the relative reactivities of the elements in Group 1 in terms of distance between the
outer electrons and the nucleus

As you go down the group the metals become more reactive. This is because their atoms get bigger, so
the outer shell electrons are further away from the nucleus. This means the electrostatic forces between
the nucleus and the outer shell electrons are weaker and it is easier to lose outer shell electrons. The
atoms want to lose the outer shell electrons to form full outer shells because they want to be more
stable and unreactive. Group 1 metals only have one outer shell electron to lose.

2.38i recall simple tests for the cations Li+, Na+, K+, Ca2+ using flame tests

Metal cation: Burns with a

Li+ Red flame

Na+ Orange/yellow flame

K+ Lilac flame

Ca2+ Brick red flame