- The atoms of the elements in Group 1 all have one electron in their highest energy level,the outer shell,this is why their chemical propeties are similar.
- When you write the electronic structure of an alkali metal, the last number must be a 1.
- The alkali metals have low melting and boiling points compared to most other metals
- The alkali metals are very soft.
- Lithium is the hardest alkali metal and they become softer as you go down the group.
- alkali metals become more reactive as you go down the group,
- here is some examples of what happens to lithium,sodium and potassium react with water
lithium + water lithium hydroxide + hydrogen2Li(s) + 2H2O(l) 2LiOH(aq) + H2(g)
When added to water, lithium floats. It fizzes steadily and becomes smaller until it disappears