M4 The
Periodic Table: Group 1 & 2 metals
Slide 12 of 42
Similarities in Chemical reactivity of Group 1 Metals
The reason the
elements in group 1 display similar chemical properties is that they have 1 electron in their valence shell.
Their chemical
behavior therefore is dominated by the loss of their single outer electron:
M ® M+ + e- where M = an alkali metal
Therefore, they
show similarities in their reaction with other substances (such as air, water
etc.).
–In other
words, they form similar products.
However, the
speed and vigor with which they react with other substances is
different.
Let’s first look at
their reaction with water which can be classified as a displacement reaction.
Li
Na
K