Lesson 2.5 - Group 1

Alkali metals

Group 1 is called the alkali metals.

This is because they form alkalines when reacting with water.

Reactivity

Group 1 elements are very reactive.

They vigorously react with any non-metal (such as water or oxygen).

Electronic structure

The Group 1 elements have 1 outer electron.

This means they need to lose that electron to become stable.

They do this by 'giving' the electron to a non-metal.

Patterns

The reactivity increases going down the group.

This means that, for instance, potassium (K) is more reactive than lithium (Li).

Fun video!

To see the reactivity of alkali metals (particularly caesium) for yourself, check out this entertaining video about dropping caesium into water...!