Page 97 - Chemistry eBook
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Group 1 (Alkali Metals)
Characteristics of Group 1 (Alkali Metals):
1. Alkali metals are the most chemically active of the metals.
As you move from top to bottom in the group, the reactivity increases. ‘Fr’ is the most reactive metal.
2. Group 1 forms +1 ions.
3. Because alkali metals have so few valence electrons, they want to give
them away very badly. Therefore, they are very unstable and chemically active.
Group 1 has one valence electron.
4. Alkali metals are found in nature as compounds (because they can’t stand being alone).
5. Alkali metals can be broken down by ELECTROLYSIS of its compounds (breaking down a chemical by passing an electric current through a liquid or solution containing ions).
Young kids are the most active (especially the one- and two- year olds). Groups one and two contain the most active metals.
UNIT 3: PERIODIC TABLE OF ELEMENTS © 97
