Alkali Metals, Task 1

1. This question is about elements in Group 1 of the Periodic Table.

(a) Which statement about lithium is correct? (1)
A It is a good electrical conductor and forms an acidic oxide
B It is a poor electrical conductor and forms an acidic oxide
C It is a good electrical conductor and forms a basic oxide
D It is a poor electrical conductor and forms a basic oxide

(b) A small piece of sodium is added to a large trough of water.

(i) State two observations that could be made. (2)
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2 ..........................................................................................................................................
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(ii) Complete the equation for this reaction by inserting the appropriate state symbols. (2)
2Na(s) + 2H2O(........................) → 2NaOH(........................) + H2(........................)

(c) Potassium reacts in a similar way to sodium, but is more reactive.

State one observation that could be made when a small piece of potassium is added to a large trough of
water, but would not be observed with sodium. (1)
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(d) Explain why elements in Group 1 have similar reactions. (1)

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2. A small piece of potassium is added to water. The list below shows some statements.
Only four of these statements describe what happens when potassium reacts with water. (3)
o Potassium oxide solution is formed
o Fizzing occurs
o Potassium sinks to the bottom of the water
o Potassium moves around on the water
o Potassium melts
o Bubbles of oxygen gas are produced
o A lilac flame is seen
o Potassium reacts to form an acidic solution
3. Someone added some of the Group 1 elements to separate samples of water, just for fun.
(a) State two observations that could be made when a small piece of sodium is added to a large trough
containing water. (2)
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2 ....................................................................................................................................................................

(b) In another experiment she added a small piece of a different Group 1 element and noticed that the
reaction was less vigorous. Which element did she add in this experiment? (1)
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(c) In another experiment she added a small piece of potassium to a large trough containing water. This
time she observed a lilac flame.
(i) Identify the gas that burned. (1)
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(ii) Give the formula of the ion that caused the flame to be lilac. (1)
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(d) A few drops of phenolphthalein are added to the liquid in the trough at the end of the reaction.
A colour change occurs.
(i) State the final colour of the liquid in the trough. (1)
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(ii) Give the formula of the ion formed during the reaction that causes this colour change. (1)
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(e) The electronic configurations of lithium and potassium are
Li: 2,1 K: 2.8.8.1
Explain why potassium is more reactive than lithium.
(2)
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4. Lithium, potassium and caesium are three metals in Group 1 of the Periodic Table.
(a) A small piece of each metal is placed on water in separate large troughs.
(i) Complete the table by giving the correct metal, lithium, potassium or cesium, for each
description. (2)
Description of Reaction Metal
Explodes on contact with water
Fizzes gently
Reacts violently and forms a lilac flame
 (ii) Give the name and formula of the compound formed when lithium reacts with water. (2)
name .....................................................................................................................................

formula ...............................................................................................................................

(iii) Describe how you could show that an alkaline solution is formed when cesium reacts with water.
(2)
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(Total for task = 25 marks)

 Alkali Metals, Task 2
1. There are many metallic elements in the periodic table.

(a) Which row of the table correctly shows two metals that are in group 1 and two metals that are transition
metals? Put a cross in the box next to your answer.
(1)

(b) (i) Describe the structure of metals in terms of the particles present in their structures.
(2)
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(ii) Explain how metals conduct electricity.

(2)
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(c) (i) Describe what you would see when a small piece of sodium is added to water.
(2)
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(ii) Write the balanced equation for the reaction of sodium with water to form sodium hydroxide and
hydrogen.
(3)
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 2. Reactivity increases down group 1 of the periodic table.
Elements E and T are in group 1 of the periodic table.
Explain why element T is more reactive than element E.
(2)
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3. When a small piece of potassium is dropped into water, there is a vigorous reaction.
Bubbles of gas are evolved and the solution formed is alkaline.
Write the balanced equation for this reaction.
(3)
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4. Lithium and caesium are two metals in group 1 of the periodic table.
Caesium is more reactive than lithium.
Explain, in terms of the structure of their atoms, why caesium is more reactive than lithium.
(3)
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 5. Group 1 of the periodic table contains the alkali metals lithium, sodium and potassium.
The alkali metals show a pattern in their reactivity with water.
This pattern is shown when small pieces of lithium, sodium and potassium are added separately to
water.
Describe the reactions and what would be seen and explain the pattern in reactivity.
You may include equations as part of your answer.
(6)
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(Total for task: 24 Marks)