GCSE · Chemistry · AQA · Spec 8462
Group 1 alkali metals
One outer-shell electron links Group 1 together, while reactivity rises as you move down the group.
What you need to know
- Group 1 elements are called the alkali metals and have one electron in their outer shell.
- The first three alkali metals are studied in reactions with oxygen, chlorine and water.
- Reactivity increases going down Group 1.
- Use the single outer-shell electron and trends down the group to explain and predict Group 1 properties.
The big picture
The elements in Group 1 are called the alkali metals. Their characteristic properties are linked to having a single electron in the outer shell. The first three alkali metals are studied in reactions with oxygen, chlorine and water. Reactivity increases going down Group 1, so this trend can be used to predict how an element lower or higher in the group will behave.
TONIGHT'S REVISION
Group 1 alkali metals
Link one outer-shell electron to Group 1 properties, reactions and the increasing reactivity trend.
How to think about Group 1
Build the topic from the shared electron feature to reactions and predictions.
Three reaction contexts
These are the three reaction partners named for the first three alkali metals.
Relationship matrix
Tap any cell to reveal it. Tap a column header to read one property down every item.
Each cell hides a short answer and the reason behind it. Predict before you tap.
Group 1 essentials
Keep the vocabulary tight and connected.
Key points
Worked example
Problem
Element B is below element A in Group 1. Which element should be predicted to be more reactive?
Memory hook
Group 1: one outer electron, three reaction partners, reactivity rises down the group.
⚠ Watch out
Reversing the trend: Group 1 becomes more reactive, not less reactive, going down the group.
Check yourself
How would you predict the relative reactivity of two Group 1 elements at different positions in the group?
Flashcards
(6)What are the elements in Group 1 called?
How many electrons do Group 1 atoms have in their outer shell?
Which three substances are used to study reactions of the first three alkali metals?
What happens to reactivity going down Group 1?
What shared electron feature is linked to the characteristic properties of Group 1 elements?
How can you compare the reactivity of two Group 1 elements from their positions?
Tap any card to flip it, or use Study as deck to go through them one at a time. In the full lesson these run as a spaced-repetition deck — you rate each card Hard, Good or Easy and the tricky ones keep coming back until they stick.
Learn Group 1 alkali metals properly — interactive practice, marked questions and flashcards.
Start this lesson freeMore AQA GCSE Chemistry topics
- Atoms, elements and compounds
- Chemical bonds (ionic, covalent, metallic)
- Conservation of mass and balanced equations
- Covalent bonding
- Development of the model of the atom
- Development of the periodic table
- Diamond
- Electronic structure
- Flame emission spectroscopy
- Giant covalent structures
- Graphene and fullerenes
- Group 0 noble gases
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