Group 1 = ________ Metals

Group 1 = ________ Metals

• A. Halogens
• B. Alkaline earth
• C. Alkali
• D. Transition

Answer: (C)

Group 1 metals are alkali metals. This family sits in the s-block of the periodic table and all have a single valence electron that they readily lose to form a +1 ion. That easy loss makes them highly reactive, especially with water, where they produce hydrogen gas and metal hydroxide that creates strongly basic solutions—hence the name alkali metals. They differ from alkaline earth metals, which are in group 2 and form +2 ions; from halogens, which are nonmetals that tend to gain electrons; and from transition metals, which lie in the d-block with multiple oxidation states. Examples include lithium, sodium, and potassium.

Group 1 metals are alkali metals. This family sits in the s-block of the periodic table and all have a single valence electron that they readily lose to form a +1 ion. That easy loss makes them highly reactive, especially with water, where they produce hydrogen gas and metal hydroxide that creates strongly basic solutions—hence the name alkali metals. They differ from alkaline earth metals, which are in group 2 and form +2 ions; from halogens, which are nonmetals that tend to gain electrons; and from transition metals, which lie in the d-block with multiple oxidation states. Examples include lithium, sodium, and potassium.