What is Ion formation of alkali metals?

Answer 1

In an atom, the electron cloud has many layers that can hold different numbers of atoms depending on available orbital regions. The Periodic Table of Elements has been sorted according to these regions: the first layer of electrons can only hold two electrons, so the first row shows the first two elements. The second layer can hold up to eight, so the second row shows the next right elements, and so on. An ion is formed when an atom loses or gains electrons so that the number of electrons and the number of protons are different. The type of element is determined solely by the number of protons in it (an atom with one proton is Hydrogren, no matter how many electrons or neutrons it has). Atoms tend to gain or lose electrons so that they have the same number of electrons as a Noble Gas. The Noble Gases have all of the spaces in their outer-most electron layer filled precisely. All other atoms have "incomplete" electron shells. When an atom loses or gains electrons to either fill or empty its shell, it gains stability but also has a charge. Losing electrons results in a positive charge, and gaining electrons results in a negative charge. It is "easier" for an atom to lose electrons if it is "close" to becoming atomically stable. The Alkali Metals, since they occupy the left-most side of the Periodic Table, only have to lose one electron to gain atomic stability, which makes it "easier" for them to lose electrons and become positively charge (cat) ions. Similarly, the Halogens (on the far right, just before the Noble Gases) only have to gain one electron to become negatively charged (an) ions. This is why ions of Alkali Metals and Halogens are more common than ions of the Transition Metals. This is also why electrically neutral Transition Metals are more common than electrically neutral Alkali Metals or Halogens.

Answer 2

ionization enthalpy decreases down the group from Li to cs because as we move down a group the number of valence electrons goes increasing separating the electrons away from the nucleus ,there is an increasing shielding of the nuclear charge by the inner shell electrons and thus the removal of electrons requires less energy as we move down.

Answer 3

Each atom of an alkali matal has one electron in its outer energy level. This electron is given up when an alkali metal combines with another atom. As a result, the alkali metal becomes a postively charged ion in a compound such as sodium chloride, NaCl, or potassium bromide, KBr.