Group 1: Hydrogen And The Alkali Metals - Chemistry LibreTexts

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Alkali metals are the chemical elements found in Group 1 of the periodic table. The alkali metals include: lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, and francium. Although often listed in Group 1 due to its electronic configuration, hydrogen is not technically an alkali metal since it rarely exhibits similar behavior. The word "alkali" received its name from the Arabic word "al qali," meaning "from ashes", which since these elements react with water to form hydroxide ions, creating alkaline solutions (pH>7).

• Group 1: Properties of Alkali MetalsThis page discusses the trends in some atomic and physical properties of the Group 1 elements - lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium and cesium. Sections below cover the trends in atomic radius, first ionization energy, electronegativity, melting and boiling points, and density.
  • Lithium Group (Group IA) Trends
• Group 1: Reactivity of Alkali MetalsAlkali metals are among the most reactive metals. This is due in part to their larger atomic radii and low ionization energies. They tend to donate their electrons in reactions and have an oxidation state of +1. These metals are characterized by their soft texture and silvery color. They also have low boiling and melting points and are less dense than most elements. All these characteristics can be attributed to these elements' large atomic radii and weak metallic bonding.
  • Flame Tests
  • Group 1 Compounds
  • Reactions of Group 1 Elements with Water
  • Reactions of Group I Elements with Chlorine
  • Reactions of Group I Elements with Oxygen
• Chemistry of Hydrogen (Z=1)Hydrogen is one of the most important elements in the world. It is all around us. It is a component of water (H2O), fats, petroleum, table sugar (C6H12O6), ammonia (NH3), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)—things essential to life, as we know it. This module will explore several aspects of the element and how they apply to the world.
  • Hydrogen Chloride
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
• Chemistry of Lithium (Z=3)Chlorine is a halogen in Lithium is a rare element found primarily in molten rock and saltwater in very small amounts. It is understood to be non-vital in human biological processes, although it is used in many drug treatments due to its positive effects on the human brain. Because of its reactive properties, humans have utilized lithium in batteries, nuclear fusion reactions, and thermonuclear weapons.
• Chemistry of Sodium (Z=11)Sodium is metallic element found in the first group of the periodic table. As the sixth most abundant element in the Earth's crust, sodium compounds are commonly found dissolved in the oceans, in minerals, and even in our bodies.
  • Sodium Carbonate
• Chemistry of Potassium (Z=19)In its pure form, potassium has a white-sliver color but it quickly oxidizes upon exposure to air, tarnishing in minutes if it is not stored under oil or grease. Potassium is essential to several aspects of plant, animal, and human life and is thus mined, manufactured, and consumed in huge quantities around the world.
  • Potassium Carbonate (Potash)
• Chemistry of Rubidium (Z=37)Rubidium (Latin: rubidius = red) is similar in physical and chemical characteristics to potassium, but much more reactive. It is the seventeenth most abundant element and was discovered by its red spectral emission in 1861 by Bunsen and Kirchhoff. Its melting point is so low you could melt it in your hand if you had a fever (39°C). But that would not be a good idea because it would react violently with the moisture in your skin.
• Chemistry of Cesium (Z=55)Cesium is so reactive that it will even explode on contact with ice! It has been used as a "getter" in the manufacture of vacuum tubes (i.e., it helps remove trace quantities of remaining gases). An isotope of cesium is used in the atomic clocks.
• Chemistry of Francium (Z=87)Francium is the last of the known alkali metals and does not occur to any significant extent in nature. All known isotopes are radioactive and have short half-lives (22 minutes is the longest).