Alkali Metals: General Characteristics and Properties
* The group1 metals are called the alkali metals. They are the most reactive metals.
* They all have 1valence electron and all form +1 cations.
* The alkali metals are good conductors, and they have a shiny, silvery appearance.
* In flame tests, lithium forms a candy-apple red colour, while sodium produces a yellow flame and potassium a lilac flame.
* They react with hydrogen to form metal hydrides.
* They react with halogens to form alkali metal halide salts, such as NaCl.
* They react with oxygen – lithium forms oxides, sodium forms peroxides, and the other group metals form superoxides.
* Alkali metals react vigorously with water to produce hydroxide ions in solution, and hydrogen gas.
Alkali Metals: Anomalous Properties and Compounds
* Lithium exhibits some anomalous behavior and it exhibits a “diagonal relationship” with magnesium.
* Sodium carbonate, or washing soda, N a_{2} C O_{3}, can be formed by the four-step Solvay process.
* Sodium Chloride, or table salt, NaCl, can be isolated from sea water.
* Sodium hydroxide, NaOH, can be prepared by the electrolysis of brine solution in the CastnerKellner cell.
* Baking soda, or sodium hydrogen carbonate, NaHC O_{3} , can be produced by reacting sodium carbonate solution with carbon dioxide.
* Sodium ions play important roles in transmitting nerve signals, regulating water transport into cells, and transporting nutrients into cells.
* Potassium ions are essential for activating enzymes, the metabolism of ATP in cells, and transmitting nerve signals.
Alkaline Earth Metals: General Characteristics and Properties
* The group1 metals are called the alkali metals. They are the most reactive metals.
* They all have 1valence electron and all form +1 cations.
* The alkali metals are good conductors, and they have a shiny, silvery appearance.
* In flame tests, lithium forms a candy-apple red colour, while sodium produces a yellow flame and potassium a lilac flame.
* They react with hydrogen to form metal hydrides.
* They react with halogens to form alkali metal halide salts, such as NaCl.
* They react with oxygen – lithium forms oxides, sodium forms peroxides, and the other group 1 metals form superoxides.
* Alkali metals react vigorously with water to produce hydroxide ions in solution, and hydrogen gas.
* Alkaline Earth Metals: Anomalous Properties and Compounds
* Beryllium exhibits anomalous behavior and has a diagonal relationship with aluminium due to their similar charge/radius ratios.
* Calcium oxide, CaO, commonly known as quicklime, is formed from the decomposition of calcium carbonate.
* Slake lime, or calcium hydroxide, Ca(OH )_{2} , is sparingly soluble in water. Lime water, a suspension of calcium hydroxide, can be used to test for the presence of carbon dioxide.
* Calcium carbonate, CaC O_{3} , is nearly insoluble in water, and occurs naturally as limestone, marble and chalk.
* Plaster of Paris is a hemihydrates of calcium sulphate.
* The main components of cement are calcium oxide and silicon dioxide.
* Magnesium is found in chlorophyll and as cofactors in certain enzymes.
* Calcium is important in bone structure, muscle contraction and other biological processes.
