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Chemical Properties of Alkali Metals - 2 Video Lecture | Inorganic Chemistry for NEET

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FAQs on Chemical Properties of Alkali Metals - 2 Video Lecture - Inorganic Chemistry for NEET

1. What are the chemical properties of alkali metals?
Ans. Alkali metals have several chemical properties, including: - They are highly reactive and readily react with water to form alkaline solutions. - They have low ionization energies, making them prone to losing their outermost electron and forming cations. - They have a strong tendency to form ionic compounds with non-metals. - Alkali metals have low melting and boiling points. - They exhibit a flame test, where they emit characteristic colors when heated in a flame.
2. How do alkali metals react with water?
Ans. Alkali metals react vigorously with water, producing hydrogen gas and an alkaline solution. The reaction is highly exothermic and can even result in an explosion if not controlled. The reaction can be represented by the general equation: 2M(s) + 2H2O(l) → 2MOH(aq) + H2(g), where M represents the alkali metal. The reactivity with water increases down the group, with potassium and rubidium reacting more violently than lithium and sodium.
3. Why do alkali metals have low melting and boiling points?
Ans. Alkali metals have low melting and boiling points due to the weak metallic bonding present in their crystal lattice. The metallic bonding is a result of the delocalized electrons moving freely among the metal atoms. In alkali metals, the strength of the metallic bonding is relatively weak due to the large atomic size and low charge density of the metal cations. This weak bonding allows alkali metals to easily overcome the intermolecular forces and transition from solid to liquid or gas phase at relatively low temperatures.
4. What is the significance of alkali metals' flame test?
Ans. The flame test is a qualitative test used to identify alkali metals based on the characteristic color they emit when heated in a flame. Each alkali metal exhibits a unique color, allowing for their identification in a mixture or compound. The flame color arises due to the excitation of electrons from lower energy levels to higher energy levels when the alkali metal atoms are heated. As the excited electrons return to their ground state, they release energy in the form of light, producing the characteristic flame color.
5. How do alkali metals form ionic compounds with non-metals?
Ans. Alkali metals have a strong tendency to lose their outermost electron and form cations. Non-metals, on the other hand, have a high electronegativity and tend to gain electrons to form anions. When alkali metals react with non-metals, such as halogens, the alkali metal atoms transfer their outermost electron to the non-metal atoms. This transfer of electrons results in the formation of ionic compounds, where the alkali metal cations and non-metal anions are held together by electrostatic attractions.
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