Key learning points

1. The properties of elements in each group in the periodic table change gradually down the group.
2. Group 1 metals are all soft metals with lower densities than other metals, and become more reactive down the group.
3. Group 1 metals react with water to form an alkaline solution and hydrogen, which is why they are called alkali metals.
4. Group 2 metals react with dilute acids to make a salt plus hydrogen gas.
5. Group 2 metals get more reactive as you go down the group, but are less reactive than Group 1 metal on the same period.

Keywords

• Alkali - is a soluble base and has a pH of greater than 7.

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

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

• Period - is a horizontal row on the periodic table. Each period corresponds to a number of shells of electrons in an atom of an element.

Common misconception