Group 1

Question 1

How are elements arranged in the periodic table?

Answer 1

Ordered by increasing atomic number.
Elements in the same group (column) have the
same number of outer shell electrons.
Elements in the same period (row) have the
same number of electron shells.

Question 2

How many electrons are in the outer

shell of a group 1 element?

Answer 2

one

Question 3

Why do elements in the same group have similar

chemical properties?

Answer 3

They have the same number of electrons

in the outer shell

Question 4

What group of the periodic table are the alkali

metals?

Answer 4

Group 1

Question 5

List two properties of alkali metals

Answer 5

• Relatively low melting points

- Soft

Question 6

Why are group 1 elements called the alkali metals?

Answer 6

They react with water to form alkaline

solutions (pH greater than 7).

Question 7

What are the products of the reaction between

lithium and water?

Answer 7

Lithium hydroxide and hydrogen

Question 8

Write a balanced symbol equation for the reaction of

sodium with water

Answer 8

2Na + 2H2O → 2NaOH + H2 (check google if unsure)

Question 9

Why should alkali metals be stored in oil?

Answer 9

To prevent them reacting with water

vapour and oxygen in the air.

Question 10

What would be observed when lithium reacts with

water? (1)

Answer 10

• Slowest reaction of the alkali metals.
• Bubbles of hydrogen are produced.
• Doesn’t melt (highest melting point of alkali metals).

Question 11

What would be observed when sodium

reacts with water? (3)

Answer 11

• Faster reaction than lithium.
• Floats on the surface of water (less dense than water).
• Bubbles of hydrogen are produced which cause the
  sodium to whizz around the surface of the water.
• Melts as enough energy is given out to meet sodium’s
  melting point

Question 12

What would be observed when potassium reacts

with water? (3)

Answer 12

• More violent reaction than sodium.
• Bubbles of hydrogen are produced which cause the
  potassium to whizz around the surface of the water.
• Melts into a shiny ball.
• Burns with a lilac flame.

Question 13

What is the order of reactivity of the first 3 alkali

metals with water?

Answer 13

Lithium reacts least violent reaction,
potassium reacts most violently:

Lithium < Sodium < Potassium

Question 14

Using the reactions of the first 3 alkali metals with

water, predict the reactivity trend down group 1

Answer 14

Reactivity increases down group 1

Question 15

Why does reactivity increase down group 1?

Answer 15

• The number of electron shells increases down the group so there is more electron shielding.
• As a result, there is weaker attraction between the positive nucleus and outer shell electron.
• This means it is easier to remove an outer shell electron to form a positive metal ion.

Question 16

Which group 1 element would you expect to react

most violently with water?

Answer 16

Reactivity increases down the group so
francium will react most violently with
water.