|
|
Article: Alkali Metals
- Article from:
- Chemistry: Foundations and Applications
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2004 The Gale Group, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
Alkali Metals
Alkali metals are the six elements that comprise Group I in the Periodic Table: lithium (Li), sodium (Na), potassium (K), rubidium (Rb), cesium (Cs), and francium (Fr). Especially when dissolved in water, these elements form strong bases (alkalis) capable of reacting with and neutralizing strong acids.
Each metal has the electron configuration of an
inert
(noble) gas plus one electron in the next higher
s
orbital. Thus, Na is 1
s
2
2
s
2
2
p
6
3
s
1
or alternatively (Ne)3
s
1
. Virtually all alkali metal compounds are ionic in nature because this outermost single electron is readily lost, forming relatively stable monovalent ions.
Sodium and potassium are abundant in Earth's ...