Periodic Table

The periodic table lists elements by atomic number, which is the number of protons in every
atom of that element.

Elements in the periodic table are arranged in periods (rows) and groups (columns).

Periods: The horizontal rows are called periods. There are seven periods in periodic table.
Members of the same period contain same number of shells e.g members of period 1 contain one
shell, members of period 2 contain two shells and so on

Groups: The vertical columns are called groups. Groups are of two types

Main group or fundamental elements: they are eight Numbered from 1A to 8A. The elements
in these groups has constant valence

Transition elements: they are ten in number. The elements in these groups has variable valence

Group number represent number of valence electrons e.g elements of 1A contains one electron in
valence shell. Elements of Group 2 have 2 valence electrons and so on.

There are three main types of elements: metals, non metals and metalloids

1. Metals: appear on the left hand side of the periodic table. Metals are those which are good
conductor of heat and electricity

2. Non metals appear on the right hand side of the periodic table. Non Metals are those which
are bad conductor of heat and electricity

3. Metalloids: Elements on either side of the both metals and non-metals. These elements can
behave both like metals as well as non metals
Alkali metal:

Group 1 (IA) of the periodic table namely, lithium (Li), sodium (Na), potassium (K),
rubidium(Rb), cesium (Cs), and francium (Fr). The alkali metals are so called because reaction
with water forms alkalies

Physical properties:

They are softest metals which can even cut with knife. Softness increase down the group, They
are shiny, soft with low density. Density decrease down the group. The atomic radius and
volume increase down in the group. The melting point and Boiling point decrease down the
group.

Chemical properties: Presence of one electron in valance shell allows these metals to lose
electrons and from M+1 ions. So these elements form ionic bond when react with Oxygen, water,
Halogens etc. reactivity increase down the group, Na is more reactive then Li, K is more reactive
then Na and so on.

Reaction with oxygen: The nature of metallic oxides in alkali metals is different. For example;
Lithium forms lithium oxide

4Li + O22Li2O

Whereas sodium forms sodium peroxide.

2Na + O2Na2O2
Potassium, Rubidium and cesium form superoxide as they easily lose one electron

K + O2LiO2

Rb + O2RbO2

Cs + O2CsO2

Reactions with water:

Group 1 elements react vigorously with water to produce an alkaline metal hydroxide and
hydrogen gas. In general:

Metal + water metal hydroxide + hydrogen

For example

sodium + water sodium hydroxide + hydrogen

2Na + 2H2O 2NaOH + H2

The reactivity of the alkali metals increases down the group. Lithium is the least reactive and
potassium is the most reactive of the three.

2Li + 2H2O 2LiOH + H2

2K + 2H2O 2kOH + H2

Reaction with Halogens:

Alkali metals react with halogens form Salts

2Na + Cl2 2NaCl

2K + Br2 2KBr