Group 1 — Alkali Metals
Oxidation states, trends, reactions, solubility, thermal stability — Topic 13.3
Li — Na — K — Rb — Cs — Fr
13.3.1 Oxidation states and physical property trends
Oxidation state
Always +1. Configuration ends in ns¹ — losing the single outer electron gives a stable noble-gas
configuration. No variation across the group.
Trends down the group
Property Trend down group Reason
Atomic radius Increases New shell added each element
Ionisation energy Decreases Outer electron farther out, more shielded, held
more loosely
Electronegativity Decreases Same nuclear-pull-vs-shielding balance as I.E.
Melting / boiling point Decreases Metallic bonding weakens — 1 delocalised e⁻
spread over a bigger lattice, ion cores farther
from electron sea
Why this group is the cleanest example: unlike Period 3, every Group 1 element uses the
SAME bonding type (metallic) throughout — no zigzag, just one smooth decrease in m.p./b.p.
governed purely by increasing atomic size.
13.3.2 Reaction with water, oxygen, chlorine
With water — reactivity increases down the group
2M + 2H₂O → 2MOH + H₂
Element Observation
Li Reacts steadily, fizzes, relatively controlled
Na Vigorous — melts into a ball, moves rapidly on water surface
K Violent — ignites the H₂ produced, lilac flame
Rb, Cs Explosive, often shatters the container
Reason for the increase: connects directly to decreasing ionisation energy — easier electron
loss down the group makes the reaction proceed faster and more violently.
With oxygen — different oxide TYPES form down the group
Element Oxide formed Equation
Li Simple oxide, Li₂O 4Li + O₂ → 2Li₂O
Na Peroxide, Na₂O₂ 2Na + O₂ → Na₂O₂
K, Rb, Cs Superoxide, MO₂ K + O₂ → KO₂
Why this progression happens: larger cations (down the group) have lower charge density
and can stabilize larger, less symmetric anions like peroxide (O₂²⁻) and superoxide (O₂⁻)
without over-polarising them. Small, dense Li⁺ over-polarises these bigger anions and can only
properly stabilise the simplest oxide ion, O²⁻.
With chlorine — all react directly
2M + Cl₂ → 2MCl
Reactivity again increases down the group, following the same easier-electron-loss logic as with
water.
13.3.3 Solubility of hydroxides, sulphates, carbonates
General trend: solubility generally INCREASES down the group for these salts.
The two competing factors
• Lattice energy (holds the solid together): decreases down the group — larger cation,
weaker electrostatic attraction to anion, easier to pull apart
• Hydration energy (released when ions are surrounded by water): also decreases down
the group — larger ions interact less strongly with water
Why solubility still rises
For these particular salts, lattice energy falls off FASTER than hydration energy as the cation
grows. The 'cost' of breaking the lattice shrinks faster than the 'benefit' from hydration shrinks —
net result favours dissolution, giving the overall increasing-solubility trend down the group.
Most reliable for hydroxides; carbonates and sulphates follow the same general direction but
with some specific exceptions depending on lattice geometry.
13.3.4 Thermal stability of nitrates and carbonates
KEY CONCEPTUAL TOPIC — polarisation argument
Trend: thermal stability INCREASES down the group — heavier Group 1 nitrates/carbonates
need higher temperatures to decompose.
The mechanism — ionic polarisation
Nitrate (NO₃⁻) and carbonate (CO₃²⁻) ions have electron clouds that can be distorted
(polarised) by a nearby cation. A small, densely-charged cation distorts the anion's electron
cloud more strongly, weakening internal N–O / C–O bonds — easier to break down with heat —
LOWER thermal stability.
Why it improves down the group
Cations get larger down the group → same +1 charge spread over a bigger volume → lower
charge density → weaker polarising power → less distortion of the anion → internal bonds stay
intact more easily → GREATER thermal stability.
Benchmark example
Lithium carbonate decomposes relatively easily on heating (Li⁺ is small, strongly polarising).
The rest of Group 1's carbonates are markedly more stable, often not decomposing even at
high lab-achievable temperatures — a sharp illustration of how much Li⁺ stands apart, echoing
the same 'first-member-of-group anomaly' pattern seen with beryllium in Group 2.
Decomposition patterns (for context)
Nitrates (lighter members): decompose to nitrite + oxygen
2MNO₃ → 2MNO₂ + O₂
Carbonates (when they decompose): give the oxide + carbon dioxide
MCO₃ → MO + CO₂
The one idea tying this whole section together
Every trend in 13.3 traces back to ONE fact: atomic and ionic radius increases down the group.
This simultaneously:
• Makes the outer electron easier to lose → drives the ionisation energy trend (13.3.1) and
the reactivity trend (13.3.2)
• Makes the cation a weaker polariser → drives the thermal stability trend (13.3.4), and
contributes to the solubility trend via lattice energy (13.3.3)
Group 1 is the purest demonstration of the master periodicity idea (13.1) in the whole syllabus
— nothing here is complicated by competing bonding types the way Period 3 was.