What are some common properties among the elements in the alkali group?

Answer 1

The alkali metals are shiny, soft, highly reactive metals which can all be cut easily with a knife due to their softness. This exposes a shiny surface that tarnishes rapidly when exposed to the oxygen in air. Because of this, they are usually stored in oil to prevent contact with the air. They are found naturally in salts and never independently. They all react with water, the heavier alkali metals reacting more dramatically than the lighter ones.

Answer 2

Some common properties among the elements in the alkali group are:

1. They are all highly reactive metals and are stored in oil or inert gases to protect them from reacting with oxygen or water.
2. They all have a single valence electron, which makes them highly reactive and prone to losing that electron to form a +1 ion.
3. They are all soft and can easily be cut with a knife.
4. They all have low melting and boiling points and are good conductors of heat and electricity.
5. They are all found in Group 1 of the Periodic Table, consisting of elements lithium (Li), sodium (Na), potassium (K), rubidium (Rb), cesium (Cs), and francium (Fr).