Jimmy Blum Heather Collins

Ciara Smith

Appearances

All of the group 1 elements are silvery- colored metals.

They are soft and can be easily cut with a knife to expose a shiny surface which dulls on

oxidation.

Uses

Alkali metals are used for all sorts of things. Some are used in food, medications. Some are necessary for your body to function, like

potassium.

http://amyschaefer24.wikispaces.com/Periodic+Table+Group+Project

Chemical Properties and Reactions

• Elements exhibit well-characterized homologous behavior

• Going down the periodic table, all of the elements show decreasing electronegativity, increasing reactivity, decreasing melting and boiling points,

and increasing densities with the exception to potassium and sodium

• The reaction with oxygen tarnishes the metals in air so they are stored under oil considering water makes them react

• They react vigorously with water to produce hydroxides and release hydrogen

• They react aggressively with the halogens to form ionic salts

• The heavier alkali metals react more violently than lighter ones

History of the Alkali Metals• Lithium• Discovered in 1817 in Sweden by Johan August Arfvedson

• Sodium• Discovered in 1807 in Britain by Sir Humphry Davy

• Potassium• Discovered in 1807 in Britain by Sir Humphry Davy

• Rubidium• Discovered in 1861 in Germany by Robert Bunsen and Gustav Kirchoff

• Caesium• Discovered in 1869 in Germany by Robert Bunsen and Gustav Kirchoff

• Francium• Discovered in 1939 in France by Marguerite Perey

Videos

• http://www.wimp.com/alkaliwater/