answersLogoWhite

0

Every alkali metal has only one electron in the outermost energy level. They give it away to form monopositive ions which have stable electron configurations ending with ns2 np6 (where n is a counting number between 2 and 7 inclusive).

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Natural Sciences

How many valence electrons do alkali metals lose to obtain an octet?

they lose one electron


How can you use the word stable to explain why the alkali metals tend to lose valence electrons?

The alkali metals tend to lose valence electrons because they have one electron in their outermost energy level, which makes them unstable. By losing this electron and achieving a full outer shell, they become more stable like the noble gases. This stability is the driving force behind their tendency to lose valence electrons.


Why are alkali metals more reactive than other metals?

Alkali metals are more reactive as they are in group 1 and therefore has only one valence electron. With only one valence electron, its easy for them to achieve inert configuration/ noble gas configuration, which makes them so reactive.


In what way is hydrogen like the alkali metals?

Hydrogen shares some properties with alkali metals, particularly in its ability to lose one electron to form a cation with a +1 charge like alkali metals. However, hydrogen is a nonmetal and not a metal like the alkali metals.


How do the chemical properties of the alkali metals and halogens that react to form them?

Alkali metals, like sodium and potassium, have one valence electron and readily lose it to form a +1 cation. Halogens, like chlorine and fluorine, have seven valence electrons and readily gain one electron to form a -1 anion. When alkali metals react with halogens, the alkali metal donates its electron to the halogen, forming an ionic compound.

Related Questions

How many valence electrons do alkali metals lose to obtain an octet?

they lose one electron


What will the alkali metals family do with its valence electrons during a compound formation?

Alkali metals lose one electron in chemical reactions.


How can you use the word stable to explain why the alkali metals tend to lose valence electrons?

The alkali metals tend to lose valence electrons because they have one electron in their outermost energy level, which makes them unstable. By losing this electron and achieving a full outer shell, they become more stable like the noble gases. This stability is the driving force behind their tendency to lose valence electrons.


Which group of metals is charterised by a single valence electron and very active atoms?

Alkali metals, such as sodium and potassium, are characterized by having a single valence electron and very reactive atoms. They readily lose this outer electron to form +1 cations in chemical reactions.


Which group of metals is characterized by a single valence electron and are very reactive atoms?

Alkali metals


Which element is most likely to lose an electron?

Lithium would be most likely to lose electrons in a chemical bond.


Why are alkali metals more reactive than other metals?

Alkali metals are more reactive as they are in group 1 and therefore has only one valence electron. With only one valence electron, its easy for them to achieve inert configuration/ noble gas configuration, which makes them so reactive.


In what way is hydrogen like the alkali metals?

Hydrogen shares some properties with alkali metals, particularly in its ability to lose one electron to form a cation with a +1 charge like alkali metals. However, hydrogen is a nonmetal and not a metal like the alkali metals.


How do the chemical properties of the alkali metals and halogens that react to form them?

Alkali metals, like sodium and potassium, have one valence electron and readily lose it to form a +1 cation. Halogens, like chlorine and fluorine, have seven valence electrons and readily gain one electron to form a -1 anion. When alkali metals react with halogens, the alkali metal donates its electron to the halogen, forming an ionic compound.


How does sodium reach its desired state?

Sodium is an alkali metal. All alkali metals have 1 electron in the valence shell. This means that the "desired state" is to have a full valence shell configuration. So, in order for sodium and other alkali metals to reach this state, it has to LOSE one electron, making it a positive ion (cation).


What do the alkali group 1 metals have in common?

Alkali group 1 metals have one valence electron, which makes them highly reactive. They have low melting and boiling points and are soft metals that can be easily cut with a knife. These metals also tend to form ionic compounds due to their tendency to lose their single valence electron.


How many valence electrons do the elements of alkali metals have?

Valence electrons are the electrons present in the outermost shell of an atom.You can easily determine the number of valence electrons an atom can have by looking at its Group in the periodic table.For example, atoms in Groups 1 and 2 have 1 and 2 valence electrons, respectively.Atoms in Groups 13 and 18 have 3 and 8 valence electrons, respectively.