Atomic structure and the periodic table (1)

Question 1

Properties of alkali metals

Answer 1

• Soft
• Low density
• Low melting point
• More reactive than other metals (Reacting with water, sodium and chlorine)
• As you go down the group they become more reactive
• As you go down the group the melting and boiling points decrease

Question 2

Why are alkali metals so reactive?

Answer 2

All they need to do is to lose 1 electron, which is pretty easy because they have only one electron to lose.

Question 3

Why do alkali metals become more reactive as you go down the group?

Answer 3

The atoms ratio gets bigger, so the outermost shell gets further away from the nucleus, so as the positive nucleus is the only thing holding the negative electron in place, the increased distance will weaken the attraction, so the electron will be lost more easily

Question 4

What happens when an alkali metal reacts with water? And what it forms?

Answer 4

• Reacts vigorously

Metal Hydroxide + Hydrogen gas

Question 5

What happens when an alkali metal reacts with chlorine gas? And what does it forms?

Answer 5

• Reacts vigorously

White solids

Question 6

What happens when an alkali metal reacts with oxygen? And what it forms?

Answer 6

Metal oxide

Lithium+Oxygen - Lithium oxide

Sodium+Oxygen - Sodium oxide/peroxide

Potassium+Oxygen - Potassium oxide/superoxide