The name «alkali» comes from the Arabic word «algaly» meaning basic.
Sodium comes from the word «soda» and potassium comes from the word «potash».
Structure of atoms
Alkali metals have one valence electron and form +1 charged ions.
The activity of metals increases from top to bottom and Francium is expected to be the most active metal in the periodic table.
Alkali metals are the most active metals.
Physical properties.
Cs Cesium
Li Lithium
Alkali metals are silvery-white, they are very soft.
Alkali metals are the most active metals, so they need to be stored under oil or kerosene.
K Potassium
Ru Rubidium
Na Sodium
Chemical properties
Reaction with water.
Alkali metals react with water and produce bases:
2Na + 2H2O = 2NaOH + H2
2Li + 2H2O = 2LiOH + H2
Reaction with acids:
2Na + 2HCl = 2NaCl + H2
Compounds of alkali metals can be identified by use of the flame test:
Lithium Li+ red Sodium Na+ yellow
Potassium K+ lilac Rubidium Rb+ red-violet
Cesium Cs+ blue
Sodium Na +
Lithium Li+
Potassium K+
Alkaline earth metals.
The metals in 2-nd group are called alkaline earth metals.
This group includes beryllium Be, magnesium Mg, calcium Ca,
strontium Sr,
barium Ba and
radium Ra.
Alkaline earth metals have two electrons in their valence shell that occupy the s-orbitals. Therefore, by losing there electrons through a chemical change they gain +2 charge.
Chemical properties:
Alkaline earth metals are second most active metals after alkali metals. The activity of the metals increases from beryllium Be
to barium Ba.
Calcium Ca
Magnesium Mg
Beryllium Be
Alkaline earth metals compounds:
Mg(OH)2 - milk of magnesia. Used in medicine as antacid.
CaSO4 * 2H2O – gypsum. Used in buildings.
CaO – lime. Used in manufacture of cement and casting.
CaC2 – carbide. Used in welding.
CaCO3 – limestone. Used in building.
Sr(NO3)2 – strontium nitrate. Used in fireworks (gives red colour).
Aluminum and its compounds.
+13Al [p13;n14]e13 3s23p1
Aluminum is an amphoteric metal so that it can react with both acids and bases: