What trend is observed in the physical properties of alkali metals as you move down the group?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking about the trends observed in the physical properties of alkali metals when moving down the group in the periodic table. It requires an understanding of the behavior of alkali metals as atomic number increases.
Answer
The metals get softer, melting points decrease, density increases, and atoms get larger.
The metals get softer, melting points decrease, density increases, and atoms get larger.
Answer for screen readers
The metals get softer, melting points decrease, density increases, and atoms get larger.
More Information
As you move down Group 1 in the periodic table, alkali metals show a clear trend in physical properties: the metals become softer and more easily cut, their melting points decrease, their densities increase, and their atomic radii get larger.
Tips
Common mistakes include forgetting one of the properties or confusing trends such as reactivity with physical properties.
Sources
- Group 1: Properties of Alkali Metals - Chemistry LibreTexts - chem.libretexts.org
- Periodic Trends: Group 1 - The Alkali Metals (DP IB Chemistry: HL) - savemyexams.com
- 7.7: Group Trends for Group 1A and 2A - Chemistry LibreTexts - chem.libretexts.org
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