Class 11 Chemistry - Chapter The s Block Elements NCERT Solutions | What are the common physical and chemica
What are the common physical and chemical features of alkali metals?
Physical properties of alkali metalsare as follows.
(1) They are quite soft and can be cut easily. Sodium metal can be easily cut using a knife.
(2) They are light coloured and are mostly silvery white in appearance.
(3) They have low density because of the large atomic sizes. The density increases down the group from Li to Cs. The only exceptionto this is K, which has lower density than Na.
(4) The metallic bonding present in alkali metals is quite weak. Therefore, they have low melting and boiling points.
(5) Alkali metals and their salts impart a characteristic colour to flames. This is because the heat from the flame excites the electron present in the outermost orbital to a high energy level. When this excited electron reverts back to the ground state, it emits excess energy as radiation that falls in the visible region.
(6) They also display photoelectric effect. When metals such as Cs and K are irradiated with light, they lose electrons.
Chemical properties of alkali metals
Alkali metals are highly reactive due to their low ionization enthalpy. As we move down the group, the reactivity increases.
(1) They react with water to form respective oxides or hydroxides. As we move down the group, the reaction becomes more and more spontaneous.
(2) They react with water to form their respective hydroxides and dihydrogens.
(3) They react with dihydrogen to form metal hydrides. These hydrides are ionic solids and have high melting points.
2M + H2 → 2M+H-
(4) Almost all alkali metals, except Li, react directly with halogens to form ionic halides.
2M + Cl2 → 2MCl
(M = Li,K,Rb,Cs)
Since Li+ion is very small in size, it can easily distort the electron cloud around the negative halide ion. Therefore, lithium halides are covalent in nature.
(5) They are strong reducing agents. The reducing power of alkali metals increases on moving down the group. However, lithium is an exception. It is the strongest reducing agent among the alkali metals. It is because of its high hydration energy.
(6) They dissolve in liquid ammonia to form deep blue coloured solutions. These solutions are conducting in nature.
M + (x+y)NH3 → [M(NH3)x]+ + [M(NH3)y]-
The ammoniated electrons cause the blue colour of the solution. These solutions are paramagnetic and if allowed to stand for some time, then they liberate hydrogen. This results in the formation of amides.
M+(am) + e- + NH3(l) → MNH(am) + 1/2 H2(g)
In a highly concentrated solution, the blue colour changes to bronze and the solution becomes diamagnetic.
More Questions From Class 11 Chemistry - Chapter The s Block Elements
- Q:-
Compare the alkali metals and alkaline earth metals with respect to
(i) ionization enthalpy
(ii) basicity of oxides and
(iii) solubility of hydroxides.
- Q:-
Compare the solubility and thermal stability of the following compounds of the alkali metals with those of the alkaline earth metals.
(a) Nitrates (b) Carbonates (c) Sulphates.
- Q:-
Discuss the various reactions that occur in the Solvay process.
- Q:-
Comment on each of the following observations:
(a) The mobilities of the alkali metal ions in aqueous solution are Li+ < Na+ < K+ < Rb+ < Cs+
(b) Lithium is the only alkali metal to form a nitride directly.
(c) E° for M2+(aq) (where M = Ca, Sr or Ba) is nearly constant.
- Q:-
Why are lithium salts commonly hydrated and those of the other alkali metal ions usually anhydrous?
- Q:-
State as to why
(a) a solution of Na2CO3 is alkaline ?
(b) alkali metals are prepared by electrolysis of their fused chlorides ?
(c) sodium is found to be more useful than potassium ?
- Q:-
When an alkali metal dissolves in liquid ammonia the solution can acquire different colours. Explain the reasons for this type of colour change.
- Q:-
Why is Li2CO3 decomposed at a lower temperature whereas Na2CO3 at higher temperature?
- Q:-
In what ways lithium shows similarities to magnesium in its chemical behaviour?
- Q:-
Find the oxidation state of sodium in Na2O2.
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