GCSE CHEMISTRY - What are the Properties of the Compounds of the Alkali Metals? - What are the Properties of Alkali Metal Chlorides? - What are the Properties of Alkali Metal Oxides and Hydroxides? - What are the Properties of Alkali Metal Carbonates?

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The Alkali Metals - Group 1 - The Properties of Compounds.

What are the Properties of Compounds of the Alkali Metals?

All compounds made from an alkali metal with a non-metal
are white solids with crystalline giant ionic structures.
These alkali metal compounds (see below)
all dissolve in water and their solutions are colourless.

What are the Properties of the Alkali Metal Chlorides?

1. All of the alkali metal chlorides are ionic salts.

2. Electrolysis of the molten chloride will give
the metal at the cathode and chlorine at the anode.

3. Electrolysis of the chloride salt in water will give
hydrogen at the cathode and chlorine at the anode.
See the electrolysis of sodium chloride in water.

What are the Properties
of the Alkali Metal Oxides and the Alkali Metal Hydroxides?

1. Alkali metal oxides and hydroxides are alkaline in solution.

2. The oxides react with water to form alkaline hydroxides.
Alkaline hydroxides can react with an acid to form a salt + water.
This type of reaction is called neutralisation.

What are the Properties of the Alkali Metal Carbonates?

1. Alkali metal carbonates can be used in neutralisation.
They react with an acid to form a salt + water + carbon dioxide.

2. The alkali metal carbonates will decompose when heated
to give the metal oxide and carbon dioxide gas.
See the decomposition of sodium carbonate below.

sodium carbonate sodium oxide + carbon dioxide.
Na₂CO_3(aq) Na₂O_(aq) + CO_2(g)

The above reaction is an example of thermal decomposition.

Links Alkali Metals Revision Questions

gcsescience.com The Periodic Table Index Periodic Table Quiz gcsescience.com

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