Why do alkali metals have an oxidation number of plus 1?

Answer 1

The oxidation number of an element tells us the possible charge that the element possesses at that instant. So, in the case of Lithium, it generally has a +1 oxidation state, meaning that it exists generally as a positive ion with charge +1. In the case of Beryllium, which is a Group-2 element, it has a tendency of losing two electrons and remaining in a +2 ionic state. Hence, its oxidation number is +2. Like that, the general state of an element is determined taking into consideration their d-orbitals and stability.

Answer 2

Alkali metals have a single electron in their outermost shell, which is easily lost to form a positive ion with a charge of +1. This electron configuration is stable because it allows the alkali metals to achieve a filled valence shell of electrons, similar to the nearest noble gas configuration.

Answer 3

Alkali metals are located in group 1 of the Periodic Table. They tend to donate their outermost electron to form a stable cation. The oxidation number of these cations is +1.