JOM KIMIA A1

PERIODIC TABLE OF ELEMENTS

C. GROUP 1 ELEMENTS

GROUP 1

http://periodictable.com/

1. The elements in Group 1 are

Lithium 2.1
Sodium 2.8.1
Potassium 2.8.8.1
Rubidium 2.8.18.8.1
Caesium 2.8.18.18.8.1
Francium 2.8.18.32.18.8.1

2. They are also known as alkali metals which react with water to
form alkaline solutions.

3. All Group 1 elements have one valence electron in their

outermost occupied shells.

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Physical Properties of Group 1 Elements

1. Group 1 elements are soft metals with low densities and
low melting points as compared to other metals such as iron
and copper.

2. They have silvery and shiny surfaces.

3. They are good conductor of heat and electricity.

Elements/ Electron Atomic Melting Boiling Density

symbol arrangement radius points points (g cm-3)
(nm) (°C) (°C)
Lithium, Li 2.1 0.15 180 1336 0.57
Sodium, Na 2.8.1 0.19 98 883 0.97
Potassium, K 2.8.8.1 0.23 64 756 0.86
Rubidium, Rb 2.8.18.8.1 0.25 39 701 1.53

Table 1: Physical Properties of Group 1 Elements

4. From Table 1, when going down the group, atomic size and
density increase.

5. When going down the group, melting points and boiling points
decrease

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Chemical Properties of Group 1 Elements

Lithium, sodium and potassium have similar chemical

properties
but differ in reactivity.

Let us carry out this Experiment!

Practical Book Experiment 4.1, page 35
Activity 4.3, page 38

1. Alkali metals react vigorously with water to produce alkaline

metal hydroxide solutions and hydrogen gas.

[Video]

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Chemical equation;

2Li + 2H2O → 2LiOH + H2

Lithium Water Lithium Hydrogen
hydroxide gas

2Na + 2H2O → 2NaOH + H2

Sodium Water Sodium Hydrogen
hydroxide gas

2K + 2H2O → 2KOH + H2
Potassium Water Potassium Hydrogen
hydroxide gas

2. Alkali metals react rapidly with oxygen gas, to produce white

solid metal oxides.

Chemical equations;

4Li + O2 → 2Li2O
Lithium Oxygen Lithium
gas oxide

4Na + O2 → 2Na2O
Sodium Oxygen Sodium
gas oxide

4K + O2 → 2K2O
Potassium Oxygen Potassium
gas oxide

3. Alkali metals burn in chlorine gas to form white solid metal

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chlorides.

Chemical reaction;

2Li + Cl2 → 2LiCl

Lithium Chlorine Lithium
gas chloride

2Na + Cl2 → 2NaCl

Sodium Chlorine Sodium
gas chloride

2K + Cl2 → 2KCl
Potassium Chlorine Lithium
gas chloride

4. Alkali metals burn in bromine gas to form metal bromides.

For example,

2Li + Br2 → 2LiBr

Lithium Bromine Lithium
gas bromide

2Na + Br2 → 2NaBr

Sodium Bromine Sodium
gas bromide

2K + Br2 → 2LiBr
Potassium Bromine Potassium
gas bromide

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5. Therefore, alkali metals have similar chemical properties.

Why alkali metals have similar

chemical properties?

Alkali metals have one valence electron in their outermost

occupied shells.

Each of them reacts by donating one electron from its

outermost occupied shell to form an ion with a charge of +1,
thus achieving the stable electron arrangement of the atom of
noble gas.

Li  Li+ + 1e-
2.1 2

Na  Na+ + 1e-
2.8.1 2.8

K  K+ + 1e-
2.8.8.1 2.8.8

6. The reactivity of Group 1 elements increases down the group.

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Why The reactivity of Group 1

elements increases down the group?

Going down Group 1, the atomic size (atomic radius)

increases.

The single valence electron in the outermost occupied shell

becomes further away from the nucleus

Hence, the attraction between the nucleus and the valence

electron becomes weaker

Therefore, it is easier for the atom to donate the single valence

electron to achieve the stable electron arrangement.

Safety precautions in handling Group 1 elements

Alkali metals are very reactive. Safety precautions must be taken when
handling alkali metals.

The elements must be stored in paraffin oil in bottles

Do not hold alkali metals with your bare hands
Use forceps to handle them
Wear safety goggles
Wear safety gloves
Use a small piece of alkali metal when conducting experiments
Hw: QR C pg. 69 no. 1,2,3

Kamal Ariffin B Saaim

Smkdbl
http://kemhawk.webs.com/