Alkali Metals are the group of chemical elements found in the group 1 of the modern periodic table. These categories of metals are very reactive and do not occur freely in nature. As these metals appear in group 1 of the periodic table, their outer shell consists of only one electron and whenever an ionic bonding takes place with other metals, they lose that electron and thus are very reactive in nature.
Beningson explains Alkali Metals
At standard temperature and pressure, Alkali Metals are highly reactive and lose their outermost electron in shell to form cations that have +1 charge. Some of the properties of alkali metals are as follows:
- Alkali metals are malleable and can be hammered into the desired shape and size.
- They are ductile and thus have the ability to deform under stress.
- They show good conductor properties towards heat and electricity.
- They are shiny, silvery and softer than any other metals.
- Within the group 1 in the periodic table, Cesium and Francium are the most reactive alkali metals.
- When brought in the contact of water, they can explode.
Some of the Alkali metals are:
- Sodium
- Lithium
- Potassium
- Francium
- Cesium and
- Rubidium