GCSE · Chemistry · AQA · Spec 8462

Group 1 alkali metals

How to think about Group 1

Build the topic from the shared electron feature to reactions and predictions.

  1. Spot the shared featureGroup 1 elements are alkali metals, and each has a single electron in its outer shell.
  2. Connect structure to propertiesTheir characteristic properties are linked to this shared single outer-shell electron.
  3. Know the reaction setFor the first three alkali metals, the reaction contexts to know are oxygen, chlorine and water.
  4. Follow the trendReactivity increases as you move down Group 1.
  5. Make a predictionUse the down-group trend to predict that an element lower in Group 1 will be more reactive than one above it.

Higher or lower in Group 1?

Higher in Group 1vsLower in Group 1

The outer-shell pattern stays the same while reactivity changes down the group.

Focus

Relative reactivity

Higher in Group 1

Less reactive

Lower in Group 1

More reactive

The insight

Reactivity increases going down Group 1.

Outer-shell electrons

Higher in Group 1

One electron

Lower in Group 1

One electron

Group identity

Higher in Group 1

Alkali metal

Lower in Group 1

Alkali metal

Prediction from position

Higher in Group 1

Predict lower reactivity

Lower in Group 1

Predict higher reactivity

Three reaction contexts

These are the three reaction partners named for the first three alkali metals.

Relationship matrix

Tap any cell to reveal it. Tap a column header to read one property down every item.

Outer-shell electronsRelative reactivity
Higher positionAmong the first three alkali metals
Middle positionAmong the first three alkali metals
Lower positionAmong the first three alkali metals

Each cell hides a short answer and the reason behind it. Predict before you tap.

Group 1 essentials

Keep the vocabulary tight and connected.

WHAT YOU'VE LEARNED

A quick recap of today's lesson.

Link one outer-shell electron to Group 1 properties, reactions and the increasing reactivity trend.

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