The Alkali Metals
Learning Objective
To understand that there are patterns in the properties of the
alkali metals.
Success Criteria
• To identify the alkali metals on the periodic table.
• To describe how the properties of the alkali metals change as you
move down the group.
• To predict the properties of alkali metals based on their position
in the periodic table.
Group 1
1. Where on the periodic table would you find the Group 1 elements?
2. Make some predictions about the Group 1 elements.
Group 1
The Group 1 elements are found in the first column of the periodic table.
Group 1
Group 1
The Group 1 elements are found to the left of the stepped line. This tells us they
are metals.
What are the properties of a typical metal?
Group 1
Group 1
Group 1 elements form alkaline solutions when they react with water.
This is why they are known as the alkali metals.
Group 1
Properties of Alkali Metals
You need to sit at least two metres from the screen and wear eye protection
throughout the demonstration.
Record the properties of the metals on your observation sheet. Think about how
the properties change as you move down the group.
Which element is the softest?
Which element stays shiny the longest?
Which element is the most reactive?
Trends in Group 1
What happens to the hardness of the alkali metals as you move down Group 1?
As you move down Group 1, the hardness of the elements decreases.
Mohs Hardness*
Alkali
Metal
*Mohs hardness is a measure of the relative hardness of a material.
Trends in Group 1
As you move down Group 1, the hardness of the elements decreases.
We can use this information to predict the hardness of the next element in the
group. 0.
Predict the hardness value of francium.1
Mohs Hardness*
Alkali
Metal
*Mohs hardness is a measure of the relative hardness of a material.
Trends in Group 1
What happens to the melting point of the alkali metals as you move down Group
1?
As you move down Group 1, the melting points of the elements
decrease.
Trends in Group 1
As you move down Group 1, the melting points of the elements decrease.
We can use this information to predict the melting point of missing elements.
Predict the melting point of potassium.
The melting point of
potassium will be between
the melting points of sodium
and rubidium.
Trends in Group 1
As you move down Group 1, the melting points of the elements decrease.
We can use this information to predict the melting point of missing elements.
Predict the melting point of potassium.64°C
Any temperature greater
than 39°C and lower than
98°C is an acceptable
prediction.
6
4
Trends in Group 1
Complete the worksheet to describe the trends in Group 1 and predict the
properties of some alkali metals based on their position in the group.
What Do You Think?
The density of the alkali metals
There is no pattern in the density
increases as you move down the
of the alkali metals.
group.
