New
New
Year 9

Group 1 and 2 metals

I can describe the pattern in the reactivity of Group 1 metals with water and Group 2 metals with dilute acid, and compare the reactivity of the two groups.

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New
New
Year 9

Group 1 and 2 metals

I can describe the pattern in the reactivity of Group 1 metals with water and Group 2 metals with dilute acid, and compare the reactivity of the two groups.

Link copied to clipboard

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The properties of elements in each group of the periodic table change gradually down the group.
  2. Group 1 metals are soft, have lower densities than most other metals, and become more reactive down the group.
  3. Group 1 metals are called alkali metals because they react with water to form an alkaline solution and hydrogen gas.
  4. Group 2 metals react with dilute acids to form a salt and hydrogen gas.
  5. Group 2 metals become more reactive down the group, but they are less reactive than Group 1 metals in the same period.

Keywords

  • Alkali - An alkali is a soluble base with a pH greater than 7.

  • Alkaline - Alkaline refers to a substance that has the properties of an alkali or contains an alkali. It is often used to describe solutions of soluble bases with a pH greater than 7.

  • Group - A group is a column on the periodic table that corresponds to the number of electrons in the outer shell of an atom.

  • Period - A period is a row on the periodic table that corresponds to the number of electron shells in an atom.

Common misconception

Group 2 metals are more reactive than Group 1 because reactivity increases across the groups.

Group 1 metals are more reactive with water; reactivity increases down a group (for Groups 1 and 2), not along a period.


To help you plan your year 9 science lesson on: Group 1 and 2 metals, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Ensure you have checked up-to-date guidance from CLEAPSS on the use of Group 1 and Group 2 metals, and thoroughly demonstrate and explain the practical safety measures before allowing pupils to take part.
Teacher tip

Equipment

samples of lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium, dilute hydrochloric acid, test tubes, universal indicator, scalpels, white tile, blotting paper, measuring cylinders, test tube racks

Content guidance

  • Risk assessment required - chemicals
  • Risk assessment required - equipment

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is a group in the periodic table?
A row of elements with the same number of electron shells.
Correct answer: A column of elements with the same number of electrons in their outer shell.
A row of elements arranged by increasing atomic number.
A column of elements with the same number of protons.
Q2.
Which of the following statements correctly describes a chemical reaction?
Elements are arranged based on atomic mass.
Correct answer: Substances interact to form new products.
No new substances are formed.
It involves only physical changes.
Q3.
A solution with a pH of 5 is ...
Correct answer: acidic.
basic.
alkaline.
neutral.
Q4.
Which of the following statements correctly describes an acid?
Correct answer: It turns blue litmus paper red.
It feels slippery to the touch.
It turns red litmus paper blue.
Correct answer: It reacts with bases to form water and a salt.
Q5.
Which element is in Group 1 and Period 2 of the periodic table?
Correct Answer: lithium, Li
Q6.
Match the following types of reactions to their descriptions.
Correct Answer:neutralisation,An acid reacts with a base to form a salt and water.

An acid reacts with a base to form a salt and water.

Correct Answer:combustion,A substance reacts with oxygen, releasing energy.

A substance reacts with oxygen, releasing energy.

Correct Answer:displacement,An element replaces another in a compound.

An element replaces another in a compound.

Correct Answer:decomposition,A single compound breaks down into two or more simpler substances.

A single compound breaks down into two or more simpler substances.

6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following statements about Group 1 metals are correct?
They are hard metals.
Correct answer: They have lower densities than other metals.
Correct answer: They become more reactive down the group.
They do not react with water.
They form acidic solutions when reacting with water.
Q2.
Group 1 metals are also known as the metals.
Correct Answer: alkali
Q3.
Group 1 metals react with water to form an solution and hydrogen gas. They do not produce oxygen or acidic solutions.
Correct Answer: alkaline
Q4.
Starting with the least reactive, sort the following Group 1 metals into order of increasing reactivity with water.
1 - lithium
2 - sodium
3 - potassium
Q5.
True or false? Sodium, calcium and potassium react with water or an acid to produce a solution with a pH greater than 7.
Correct answer: true
false
Q6.
Group 2 metals react with dilute acids to form a salt and gas.
Correct Answer: hydrogen

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