Which group do alkali metals belong to in the periodic table?

Which group do alkali metals belong to in the periodic table?

• A. Group 1
• B. Group 2
• C. Group 0
• D. Group 7

Answer: (A)

Alkali metals are placed in the first group of the periodic table because their atoms have one electron in their outermost shell. That single valence electron is easily lost, so these elements form +1 ions and share similar chemistry. This is why they’re grouped together in Group 1, the alkali metals. They lie on the left side of the table in the s-block and are known for being highly reactive metals, especially with water, producing alkaline hydroxides and hydrogen gas. For example, lithium, sodium, and potassium all behave this way. They aren’t in Group 2, which contains alkaline earth metals with two outer electrons; they aren’t in Group 0, which are the inert noble gases with full outer shells; and they aren’t in Group 7, the halogens that have seven outer electrons and nonmetal characteristics.

Alkali metals are placed in the first group of the periodic table because their atoms have one electron in their outermost shell. That single valence electron is easily lost, so these elements form +1 ions and share similar chemistry. This is why they’re grouped together in Group 1, the alkali metals. They lie on the left side of the table in the s-block and are known for being highly reactive metals, especially with water, producing alkaline hydroxides and hydrogen gas. For example, lithium, sodium, and potassium all behave this way.

They aren’t in Group 2, which contains alkaline earth metals with two outer electrons; they aren’t in Group 0, which are the inert noble gases with full outer shells; and they aren’t in Group 7, the halogens that have seven outer electrons and nonmetal characteristics.