Group 1 and 2 metals
I can describe the pattern in reactivity of Group 1 metals with water and Group 2 metals with dilute acid, and compare the two groups' reactivity.
Group 1 and 2 metals
I can describe the pattern in reactivity of Group 1 metals with water and Group 2 metals with dilute acid, and compare the two groups' reactivity.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The properties of elements in each group in the periodic table change gradually down the group.
- Group 1 metals are all soft metals with lower densities than other metals, and become more reactive down the group.
- Group 1 metals react with water to form an alkaline solution and hydrogen, which is why they are called alkali metals.
- Group 2 metals react with dilute acids to make a salt plus hydrogen gas.
- Group 2 metals get more reactive as you go down the group, but are less reactive than Group 1 metal on the same period.
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 Group 1 and 2), not along a 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.
Equipment
Samples of lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium; dilute HCl; test tubes; universal indicator; scalpels; white tile; blotting paper; measuring cylinders; test tube racks.
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
An acid reacts with a base to form a salt and water.
A substance reacts with oxygen, releasing energy.
An element replaces another in a compound.
A single compound breaks down into two or more simpler substances.