11.

THE ALKALI METALS

Group 1 elements are called alkali metals.

Physical Properties

Metal Melting point /oC Boiling Point/ oC Density/ g/cm3

1342 0.53
Li 181
98 883 0.97
Na
63 760 0.86
K
39 686 1.53
Rb
29 669 1.88
Cs

Fr
 1. Melting and boiling point is very low and decreases down the group
2. Density tends to increases down the group, but not regularly
3. Soft metals and can be cut with a knife
4. Becomes softer down the group
5. Shiny and silver when freshly cut, tarnish very quickly on exposure to the air.

STORAGE AND HANDLING

 Alkali metals are extremely reactive. To stop them reacting with oxygen and
water vapor in the air Li, Na and K are stored under oil.

 Rb and Cs are so reactive, therefore, they have to be stored in sealed glass tubes

HANDLING OF GROUP 1 ELEMENTS

 They should not be touched by bare fingers because sweat on the skin reacts with
metals producing a lot of heat energy and corrosive metal hydroxides.

M + H2O MOH + ½ H2
FAMILY OF ELEMENTS

 Group 1 elements are put in one group as they share following

common features
1. They all have one electron in their outer shell
Electron configuration
Li (3): 2,1
Na (11): 2,8,1
K (19) : 2,8,8,1
2. They have similar chemical properties
A. All react with water to form metal hydroxides and hydrogen
M + H2O MOH + ½ H2
NaOH
B. They all react with oxygen to form metal oxide of formula, M2O.
M + ½ O2 M2O
Na2O , K2O
C. They all react with halogens (X) to form metal halides of formula MX.
M + ½ X2 MX
EX: NaCl, KBr, KI
D. They all form ionic compounds with metal ion, M+

Ex: K+ , Na+ , Li+

REACTIONS OF ALKALI METALS WITH WATER

All group 1 metals react with water to produce a metal hydroxide and hydrogen.
Ex: alkali metals + water alkali metal hydroxides + hydrogen
M + H2O MOH + 1/2 H2
Na REACTING WITH WATER
Na + H2O NaOH + 1/2 H2

Table 1: Observations made when sodium is added to water

Observations Explanation

1 Sodium floats Na is less dense than water

2 Sodium melts into a ball Na, melting point is low and a lot of heat is produced during
reaction. Then, Na piece melts into a ball.

3 There is fizzing Hydrogen gas is produced

4 Na moves around on the surface of water Hydrogen is not produced symmetrically, hence Na is pushed
around the surface.

5 Na piece gets smaller and eventually disappears. Na is used up in the reaction.

6 The resulting solution goes blue upon addition of Alkaline solution of NaOH has formed and OH- ion is
universal indicators. produced.
Table 2: Differences and Similarities of Reactions between Group 1 elements and water

Observation Na Li K Rb and Cs
1 Floating on water no
Floats on the water Yes Yes

2 Melting into a ball Melts into a ball Li does not melt Lilac flame/ catches fire Catches fire
as a ball

3 Fizzing Fizzing yes yes yes

4 Moves around the Moves around the yes yes yes

surface surface

5 Piece disappears Piece disappears Yes yes yes

6 Resulting solution goes yes Yes yes yes

blue upon addition of
universal indicator
7 Speed of reaction Slow Vigorous Explosive
compared to Na.
EXPLAINING THE INCREASE IN REACTIVITY

 Reactivity increases down the group. All metal atoms lose outer shell electron forming metal ion during the reaction.
Na(s) Na+(aq) + e-
 When going down the group, atoms have more shells of electrons and atoms get bigger.
 When the atom gets bigger, the outer shell electron gets further away from the nucleus.
 The outer shell electron gets less strongly attracted to the nucleus.
 Draw dot and cross diagrams to show electron arrangement in atoms of Li, Na, and K.

Lithium Sodium Potassium

REACTIONS OF ALKALI METALS WITH OXYGEN IN THE AIR

1. Lithium burns with red flame

2Li + ½ O2 Li2O (Lithium oxide)

2. Sodium burns with yellow flame

2Na + ½ O2 Na2O (Sodium oxide)

3. Potassium burns with lilac flame

2K + ½ O2 K2O (Pottasium oxide)

PREDICTING THE PROPERTIES OF FRANCIUM

Melting temperature for atomic number 87,

Francium

 Is very soft
 Have melting point around room temperature
 Density over 2 g/cm3
 Silvery metal
 Reacts violently with water to from Francium hydroxide and hydrogen.
 More reactive than Caesium
 Will form white color compounds which dissolve in water to form colorless solution.