Properties of Alkali Metals
Properties of Alkali Metals
liquid
µ .
Na
① Physical F- Radioactive
Rbc Cs
Li < Nack <
③ atomic size
Shell NET
Zeff → almost constant
Rb
Cs Fr
Na k
Li
[Link] ✓
y
z
④ Cs
Li Na k Rb
Ionisation Energy
→
Eod
At .
Radius f ,
I.
( incomplete Periodic)
I. E.
lowest
Electropositive
(
=
Element)
Most
Table
↳ ⇐
Nature
Metallic character Reducing in
[Link] )
✗
( .
gaseous
stake
⑤ (Hydration Energy ) →
Rbt Cst
kt > >
hit > Nat >
d
Size chota
(more hydration)
[ charge density
* ⑥
Density : -
Cs
k Rb
Li Na
Mass 99 →
more increasing
Density [Link]
-
to d¥n
In General density f on mowing up
'
Li = Is22s
Extra &e•
Is2252ps
/
3s
Na =
3523ps 3d tsl
Kr = 1¥52 PG
[Link] <Feet
→=f
3d→
Volume VERY mass →
[Link]
Rbc Cs ) *
* (hi < k< Nas
___
⑦
soft Metals / Bcc structure / Packing → same
Melting Point →
at
↳
(Silvery metal Cyber packing )
knife)
( Easily cut by
soft Metal )
4° >Na,b ④
>
atteadiard
Bonding d t
Bond
Sizer , Metal Metal -
,
,
strength
moving up
to dogon ) .
Nature ✗ 1-
⑧ Electropositive LEE .
Rbc Cs
F- <
.
Na <
Li <
⑨ flameT_est :
-
d-
Flame Buren en
ke upas suit
renewed * * *
:÷÷¥¥Éi
Iseman
"
*
is more
Td
( Energy absorbed)
÷
is more
Pinel
flame)
Na C Reducing
Nat →
Ozd
(Energy released)
lo±p
⑥⑥f-
Pt mine
@ act -144 ) →
paste
↳ ( Emission spectrum )
I. Eu )
(due to low
"É#÷
Li
]
sr
a - animas
→ Red
Red violet
wa
→
.. Rb
K → ✓ oil et
es → Blue
Green Crpfshj
Ba →
Na → yellow .
(Photoelectric effect)
: -
↳ how I
alkalimetats
chemicalpeeopeties
:
of
-
Nature
① Reducing
↳ (Removal of eo )
)
Nature in gaseous
< Nac
KC Rb <
Cs C Reducing stale
hi
In water
Nac KC
Rbc Cs
<
④ Reducing Nature )
C.
② Kinetic
Reactivity ( Kon fast Reaction
Kaeegaj
Thermodynamic Reactivity ( Kon Sabse
Tyada Energy
release
kuega
)
Li)
( s > Rb > K > Na >
( kinetic Reactivity )
) (Thermodynamic Reactivity)
> Na
( Li > Cs > Rb > K
&
↳ -02
mainly Iz
N3
-
Nz →
02
-
of
-
O → 05 →
→
M 1- air EA , + F- AHEAD
3-
NIN - N - N
Nz→
( absoiebtion )
( absorption)
Is 202
-
# 05 ¥ of
-
Oz Endo
Endo,
EIO
For formation of ionic compound
Main factor is
Lattice Energy : -
Kt Rb -1 > Cst
Lit > Nat >
>
1
Easily Compensate Energy required to
Very high
2. E , Can
form Nitride & Oxide
.
4°, N ]
Liao
Chi
+
+ air →
is formed
¥02
.
in small amount
Nazo ,
+ No Nitride
Na + air →
Low LIE .
Cs Oz
Koz Rboz
M ( K / Rb / Cs ) + air →
MIZ y ,
,
ReaÉr : -
-0
M + H2o
→ MEAN 1- H±f + on
acids
Rxw with
Mt HCl →
M -1+9-0 + 4=27
Metal loose eo
Easily .
R¥
M + can son
→ Mt + Cz4s0° +
HIT
amide
¥"
M + MHz (g)
→
M+Nµj0+µ%
Hzf ( moleeleedeeeing
hi + Nhs (g)
→ Liz NH
imide
+
Nature )
Reaction with liq .
NH, / NH, Cterminology)
[MIL
µ
dit solution
NH, solute -_
M
solvent =
solution CM ]f
Conch
Kal -0
WH, is more Basic as
4+0 on
Hao ¥
+
water
¥-92 H⑦ + v49 Compare to
NY,
water is more ienisable
( Ka , >>>
>
Kay
HE +
Feed → Meeeee / unpaired →
Paramagnetic
* g-
}
-
-
µ ↳
Reducing agent
\ due to
-
_M_⑥&¥
Conductivity →
All S block metals show leeaction with liq . NH} Except Be and
High EI
.
due to
My
VM = ✗
due to Void creation
z > ✗ +
y
Ée@¥
Vny ,
= y
✓ = 2
Soir
Volute 9
→
Hat + MN%
liq NH
☐→
M + .
,
Colourless , Diamagnetic
due to MO / NH? ✓
conductivity
→
Mt + Me
M 1-
liq . NH
,
→
Mzmolwecule
(Diamagnetic / weakly paramagnetic
=
→ Bronze colour
conductivity d formation
→
due to
of M±
→ M + [Link] ,
→ 429 + Compete
+
impurity
✓
d block Metal
I
lewis =Tñ
acid
levels base
#
Reaction with halogen : -
psionic lattice
- -
mm
ummm
MX Cs )
M -1×2 →
covalent )
Licl , ↳ Br ,
hits →
=
( predominately
Elazar 's Ruled
✓
(ionic
=
Lattice)
=
Mx
+1×24,→
Cs)
☐" Mls)
formation
if I B. E.
=Eo
✗ (g)
Mcg )
tteo
II.
⇐A
E.
✗
-0cg
feel ease Energy) Mig, +
Rb ✗ < Csx
tix ( Nax < KX <
✗
✗ = Clo Bro , Do
,
↳⇐ • ✗
¥-0 For CIO
so >
Bro
set
12°
↳ E. a
¥
↳ ho fir hum boat kaenge
sabkeliye
Same
gaya
I. Eo af .
= =
Jiske
liye sabse Eam
III.
in case of fluorides
8-1=80
WE . ✗
¥+0
KR Rbf > Csf
> Naf >
.
>
Lif
00 0+-0 Lattice is
→ week
weak
Oo 00
( lattice) →
Reaction with hydrogen
Ñ%° Mon + not
-
M + n,
Cs 4
< Name KH < Rb4<
him
( release Energy )
=
☐
Hf
Io > 40 > Bro
Oxysaits : -
Catboat SOE
"
① fer 02
-
increases soya
-
down
.
up to →
② Thermal stability ✗
ptg
< cszco,
4^2 coz <
.
- .
.
- .
-
.
Liao coat
Cisco,→☐
+
-
/ R / Rb /
✗
Na Cs
② Sulphate
cszso +
C solubility )
lizso+ < -
- - - - - . .
CThermal stability)
< cszso,
7¥ LizSO¢C .
.
. . .
.
d- Liao + so, f
4- zso,
→☐ ✗
walk / Rb / a
③ Nitrates
> CSNO ,
solubility Lino, >
CCSNO}
7. S .
LINO, C - - - - .
↳ 420 -1 NO , + Oz
Ling
NANO
↳ NaN Oz 1- 02
I strongly
,
heat
Nazo + Nzt 02
Compounds of alkalimetats
① Sodium chloride
hydroxide / caustic
soda
② sodium
① Nacl
seawater
-80ohm Crude salt
µH~O
-
Soluble
Insoluble
Impure NaCl
Impunity
( Cacia Mgdz)
,
Ept ←
ao Nacht + [Link]
Cs )
ppt
NAH coz
-
.
Process
Solveig
Caco, b- Cao t coz
NCOs
+ CO2
-1 420 →
CN Hp)
@ 4,42cg
Max recovery
Natl cost +
11+4 of NH,
É NH
,
-1 Cada
H2O
Nhi
+
size of Kt =
cos
KHCO, > Natl
'
[ Ins
① Electronic
Configuration →
Ooso +2
General
=
solid
state →
② Physical
Ra
Bao
Fcc Bcc
Hop
③ Atomic Size
Ba C shell no 9)
mgccacsrc
.
Be <
> Ba
✓
④
Sr
> Ca >
I•_ Be > mg
Sr Ba
Ca
⑥ MÉgit
: -
Be Mg
due to Hep structure
Be > ca >
sr > Ba >
Mg
⑦ Density
Be
Mg
Ca Sr Ba ¥ a = b =/ C
Sr < Ba
Be <
Cac Mgc
✓
Eff Easily Break
able
.
1
REP
(like
as
Na> K )
Nature
Electropositive
:
⑧
-
[Link]
Bes
Mgc
⑨ [Link]
due RE
Photoelectric effect
: -
to
high
10J ✗
show)
Edo not
(chemical Peeopeuties)
: -
?⃝
Reducing Nature < Ca < Src
Ba
Be < Mg
-1
Be ÉÉ Bet ¥-5 Be
-12
Every endothermic)
I. E , TI ED -
(02-112)
µ Very high
-12
)
air
③ Reaction with
lattice Energy
M + air → MO + Mz Nz
Natak
=
react with
air my T
cat Room flash
My
← Bulb
Temperature)
is Used .
Reaction with
g
ka Sr Ba) hot water → Mg ( 042 + Hat
, ,
my +
- ✗
Be -1 H2o
due to formation
of Protective layer of oxide on it's surface
Reactions with acids
Mt liq .
NH, - [ McNab ) ] "+ ,
[e°(N%)y]z
(dark blue / Black)
due to high EE .
Reaction
do not show
Be &
My
RÉÉ : -
M + ✗
<
- Ñ×Ics )
Bex, → Covalent
Peredominantly covalent
-
( ✗ =cl Britt →
Mgx
,
,
Befz NH ,< HE + Be →
(NH¢)z[BeF+ ]
↳
N4sf +24ft + Be
Beotc -1cL
↳ COT -1 B¥
Beck
,
→
?⃝
React with 42
MHz
Mt H
,
→
Bef, + LiA1H¢
→ Ben , -1 -4°F 1- ALF, +
(
Released
Enemy )
carbonates GOI
)
-0
-
go f moving
fon
02
-
on
up to down
MCO}
< Baco,
Be cos <
Environment of coz
Beco, kept in
Beo + coat
Becoz
-
Backward .
Thermal stability
< Bac NO>2
Be@ Os) C- -
- - - -
MCNO, ) → MO t NO- 1- Oz
,
sulphate : -
SOE Ms of
7- S
Be < < Ba
-
Beso , > - -
- > Bas Op (solubility
↳ MO t sozt Oz ✓
Msoq
[Link]#
:-( Cao)
Quicklime
A- Cao + coz
limestone
Quick
time .
✓
(
Cao + tho → Caco Hkcs)
É ca COHL Milk of
lime )
white
slaked lime
[Link] Turbidity
UH Lott ( Pan
Khaya had
/ HIGH
D- Hsia at I
3-
• •
Atlas
41st)
Caco 4) ( clear
lime
a.
water
sold
@tÉuiA
metal )
←
② Caco,
famous
,
③ Casa
Caso Cag, + coat
Caco, t dit .
Has 0¢ → ,
+ H2O
↳
added to cement
- Caso,< 02420 ( Gypsum)
(
to increase setting time)
Jaldi ho cement
DIRT cement
day na
,
accha structure
locking honichahiyeacchi
atom Tabhi
Hated d-
☐→ Caso -
1-24,0
↳ Cas 0¢
Caso .
2h20 ,
,
Dead Burned
pop
plaster
contest site Caruth unit
(ceiling) stat Fat af
GypsumNTItani
pop
Aluminate silicate
cement : -
ca
}
-
-
cat Sio
Aloi
and ion
of its atom
.
the
lithium is much harder, it mop .
and bop ane
higher than
①
other alkali metal .
the ,
④ Li forms
hydrate ,
( deliquescent )
form hydrate
solid form but other
not obtained in
⑤ ↳ HCG is
Carbonate
alkali metals form solid Hcg
-0 o
Ctlydoogen
*
*⑥* hi + Cath
→ ✗ ( NO Mention) mat net of
I. E of lif
Na t GHz → Nazca 1- 429
Ethynide
→ lithium Unlike other alkali metals do not form ethynide on
same Size
① almost
react
③ lithium and magnesium much less Soluble
and
hydroxides
are
and
Their Oxide
decompose on
heating .
their hydroxides
with Nz
direct combination
④ Both form Nitride by
↳N & Mg N >
combine with
do not
⑤ The Oxides , Liao and
Mgo oxide
super
.
peroxide
or a
a
to
Excess Oz give
decompose
Carbonates of lithium and magnesium
⑥ The
coz
form oxide and
.
the
Easily on
healing to
solid Carbonates .
do not form
⑦ &
Li
Mg Ethanol
in
soluble
.
are
⑧ Both hid &
Mgclz
⑨ Both farms hydrates
lid 2420
] (deliquescent
☐
2420
Mgclzo
Anomalous behaviour of
BeBe
Exceptionally
has small atomic & ionic size thus does not
of the groupsize
.
members
with other
compare well
and small It forms
of high ionisation enthalpy
get Easily hydrolysed
Because .
covalent and
compounds which are
largely
In its
more than 4 as
Exhibit Con
not
.
Be does
four orbitals
Only
.
The teemaining
members of the
group Orbitals
df d- .
by making
use
C. No of six
amphoteric in
of other
Elements in the
group ,
are
Nature .
Be & Al
between
→
relationship
.
Diagonal ratio
EN & Same charge/radius
① same
oxides on
to form Complexes
③ Both have tendency
tetrahedral Complex Befit
B- ] -
Also
At →
Octahedral Complex
Hydrolysis
ionic Compound +420 →
Atx BT + tho
- A- ( 041×-1 BHY
metal
Hydroxide
→ Bacon,
H2O water
Bao +
Clear soil Baryta
+ H2O
metal Nitride + Hao
→
metal
Hydroxide
NH]
→ Mcon ), +
Ms N t H2o
Colon ) + NU,
→
H2o ,
Cazn ,
+
9- ( ( out, + NH
,
→
the
AIN 1-
-1 Phs /
Metal phosphide + tho → metal hydroxide
pst\pn
Mt
[Link] ,
④
,
→ Cad, +
+ my
cash
Cash + reel → Cada -1 M¢ 4%(1%7)
④ Metal ttulphide 1- H2O → metal hydroxide + Has
Allon ] + Has
Asks, + no →
1-
metal Hydroxide 4202
metal Peroxide + He →
③
Preparation
-1^+05 of His
but
4202
ZNAOK + H2O,
N 9202 +2420
% Naoh + 02
Nada -12420
His unstable at R_
reaction)
⑥ Metal Superoxide ( disproportionation
KOH 1- Hzoz -1 Oz
KO, -1 H2O →
Rue of dihydrogen
tlydualilh
when
species give
same product
which pain of
with water .
heart
Sr & soo
⑨
④ Cao & Can
⑤ Cao & Ca
④ Ca & Cakes
⑧ metal Amide + no
→ Hydroxide +
NI ,
Metal imide
→ Naont NH>
NaN Lt 420
Boride
⑨ Metal
M Conte -1 BIG
→
Mt
"
Bt + no
Metal Carbide
a-
[Link] acetylide allylide
d- CE
ng
block + Lankan
( Belay s
"
↳ monk + ↳ H+ allyl .
Ms →
Mong
9h ,
G- Cac , -6 coconut
*
:
oxyacetylene welding
-
→ Coloma + Chief
Cacz + 420 =
Caa
Exothermic
skates R±u
☐☐ -
at two
The thermal stability of both alkali and alkaline earth metal oxysalts tends to increase as one moves down the group in the periodic table. This stability arises primarily because larger cations have lower charge density, which diminishes the polarization of the anion and thus reduces the propensity for decomposition. For example, among carbonates (MCO3) and sulfates (MSO4), lithium carbonate and sulfate decompose more easily than those of cesium. In alkaline earth metals, BeCO3 decomposes easily compared to BaCO3 .
Lattice energy directly affects the melting point, solubility, and hardness of the alkali metal halides. Among them, fluorides have the highest lattice energy due to the smaller size and higher electronegativity of fluoride ions, leading to higher melting points and often lower solubility compared to chlorides, bromides, and iodides. This also translates into greater hardness and decreased reactivity with water. Conversely, iodides, with the lowest lattice energy due to the larger anion size, are softer and more soluble with lower melting points .
The solubility of alkaline earth metal hydroxides in water increases down the group from beryllium to barium. This trend is attributed to a decrease in lattice energy that disproportionately decreases relative to the energy released during solvation. Thus, Ba(OH)2 is far more soluble than Be(OH)2, whose small, highly charged cation tightly binds to the hydroxide ion, leading to reduced solubility. Beryllium hydroxide is amphoteric, while those of other group members are basic .
The formation of hydrides varies significantly across the periodic table; alkali metals from the s-block form ionic hydrides like LiH, using the direct combination with hydrogen in a 1:1 ratio. The tendency to form these decreases down the group due to lower electronegativity and increasing ionic character. In contrast, p-block elements form covalent hydrides, which display greater variability in composition and bonding. S-block hydrides are often more ionic and exhibit different thermal and chemical stability compared to the covalent hydrides of the p-block, such as AlH3 .
The reactivity of alkaline earth metals with acids increases down the group as ionization energy decreases. Be is less reactive due to high ionization energy, and it often does not react with dilute acids, while Ba readily reacts even with weak acids to release hydrogen gas. The decrease in ionization energy results in a more facile loss of valence electrons, thus enhancing their reactivity with acids as one moves from Be to Ba .
Lithium's anomalous behavior is largely due to its exceptionally high polarizing power, which is a consequence of its small size and high charge/radius ratio. This polarizing power increases the covalent character of lithium compounds, which increases solubility in organic solvents and makes lithium compounds more robust and less reactive. For example, unlike other alkali metals, lithium reacts to form a stronger reducing agent, as evidenced by its ability to form Li3N directly with nitrogen and the formation of Li2CO3, which is less soluble than carbonates of other alkali metals .
Magnesium and beryllium share a diagonal relationship that bestows them certain similar properties, such as comparable small size and polarization ability. Both are less reactive with water and oxygen compared to their vertical group neighbors, forming nitrides through direct combination with nitrogen. Their oxides and hydroxides are less soluble and can decompose upon heating, which is not typical for their group members. These shared traits are due to their similar electron densities and thus indicative of analogous chemical behaviors, such as amphoteric oxide properties .
Lattice energy influences the formation of ionic compounds significantly because it describes the energy released when ions bind to form a crystalline lattice. It compensates for the energy required to form nitrides and oxides. Among alkali metals, lithium has the highest lattice energy, which can easily compensate for the energy needed to form compounds like Li2O. Thus, Li+ with its high lattice energy will form more stable ionic compounds compared to metals like Cs+, which have lower lattice energies due to larger ionic sizes .
Beryllium's reactivity is distinct because it does not react with water at standard temperatures due to the formation of a protective oxide layer on its surface, preventing further reaction. In contrast, other alkaline earth metals like magnesium or calcium react more readily, even with just warm water. Beryllium also has a higher ionization enthalpy, making it less reactive with hydrochloric acid compared to its group members, which readily form hydrated ions .
The color and conductivity of alkali metal solutions in liquid ammonia are influenced by the ion's size. Smaller ions like Li+ and Na+ lead to greater association with ammonia, forming deep blue solutions due to the solvation effects and the presence of solvated electrons, resulting in high conductivity. Larger ions such as Cs+ yield pale blue solutions with relatively lower conductivity since the solvated electron density is lower, reducing the extent of ion-ammonia interactions, affecting the overall conductivity .