Group 1 - the alkali metals

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 water to produce an alkaline
solution.

Group 1 – the alkali metals

The Group 1 elements are called the alkali metals. They are placed in the vertical column on
the left-hand side of the periodic table
All the Group 1 elements are very reactive. They must be stored under oil to keep air and water
away from them. Group 1 elements form alkaline solutions when they react with water, which is
why they are called alkali metals.

Reactions of alkali metals with water

All the alkali metals react vigorously with cold water. In each reaction, hydrogen gas is
given off and the metal hydroxide is produced. The speed and violence of the reaction
increases as you go down the group. This shows that the reactivity of the alkali metals
increases as you go down Group 1.

Lithium

When lithium is added to water, lithium floats. It fizzes steadily and becomes smaller, until it
eventually disappears.

 lithium + water → lithium hydroxide + hydrogen

 2Li(s) + 2H2O(l) → 2LiOH(aq) + H2(g)

Sodium

When sodium is added to water, the sodium melts to form a ball that moves around on the
surface. It fizzes rapidly, and the hydrogen produced may burn with an orange flame before
the sodium disappears.

 sodium + water → sodium hydroxide + hydrogen

 2Na(s) + 2H2O(l) → 2NaOH(aq) + H2(g)

Potassium

When potassium is added to water, the metal melts and floats. It moves around very quickly
on the surface of the water. The hydrogen ignites instantly. The metal is also set on fire, with
sparks and a lilac flame. There is sometimes a small explosion at the end of the reaction.

 potassium + water → potassium hydroxide + hydrogen

 2K(s) + 2H2O(l) → 2KOH(aq) + H2(g)

Strong alkalis
The hydroxides formed in all of these reactions dissolve in water to form alkaline solutions.
These solutions turn universal indicator purple, showing they are strongly alkaline. Strong
alkalis are corrosive. Care must be taken when they are used - goggles and gloves should be
worn.

Explaining reactivity
The Group 1 elements have similar properties because of the electronic structure of their
atoms - they all have one electron in their outer shell.

Explaining trends

In a reaction, an atom of a Group 1 element will form an ion with a single positive charge.
For example, for sodium forming a sodium ion:

Na → Na+ + e–

A change like this, where an electron is lost, is an example of oxidation.

The ions formed have a stable electronic structure, like a noble gas from Group 0.

The reactivity of Group 1 elements increases as you go down the group because:

 the atoms get larger as you go down the group

  the outer electron gets further from the nucleus as you go down the group
 the attraction between the nucleus and outer electron gets weaker as you go down the
group - so the electron is more easily lost

Glossary

1. alkalineHaving a pH greater than 7.

2. atomAll elements are made of atoms. An atom consists of a nucleus containing
protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons.
3. corrosiveAble to damage metal, stonework, clothes and skin. Strong acids and alkalis
are corrosive.
4. electronSubatomic particle, with a negative charge and a negligible mass relative to
protons and neutrons.
5. elementA substance made of one type of atom only.
6. ionElectrically charged particle, formed when an atom or molecule gains or loses
electrons.
7. noble gasA chemical element that is odourless, colourless and generally unreactive.
8. oxidationThe gain of oxygen, or loss of electrons, by a substance during a chemical
reaction.
9. periodic tableA tabular representation of all known elements in order based on atomic
number, eg all the noble gases are found on the right of the periodic table.
10. reactiveThe tendency of a substance to undergo a chemical reaction.
11. universal indicator paperPaper stained with universal indicator, a chemical solution
that produces many different colour changes corresponding to different pH levels.