Which statement best describes Group 1 metals?

Which statement best describes Group 1 metals?

• A. They are transition metals with variable oxidation states.
• B. They have high ionization energies and are inert gases.
• C. They form covalent networks and are nonmetals.
• D. They have very low ionization energies, highly reactive with water, and form ionic compounds.

Answer: (D)

Group 1 metals are alkali metals that have a single valence electron and very low ionization energies, so they readily lose that electron to form a +1 ion. This makes them highly reactive with nonmetals and especially with water, where they react vigorously, often releasing hydrogen gas and forming basic metal hydroxides. They predominantly form ionic compounds with nonmetals, rather than covalent networks. This combination—low ionization energy, strong reactivity with water, and formation of ionic compounds—best describes their behavior. They are not transition metals, which have variable oxidation states; they are not inert or noble gases with high ionization energies; and they do not form covalent networks like some nonmetals do.

Group 1 metals are alkali metals that have a single valence electron and very low ionization energies, so they readily lose that electron to form a +1 ion. This makes them highly reactive with nonmetals and especially with water, where they react vigorously, often releasing hydrogen gas and forming basic metal hydroxides. They predominantly form ionic compounds with nonmetals, rather than covalent networks. This combination—low ionization energy, strong reactivity with water, and formation of ionic compounds—best describes their behavior.

They are not transition metals, which have variable oxidation states; they are not inert or noble gases with high ionization energies; and they do not form covalent networks like some nonmetals do.