Alkali metals in water

What are the six alkali metals?

Lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, and francium.

What physical property do alkali metals have regarding hardness?

They are all soft metals which can be cut with a knife.

What happens to alkali metals in air?

They quickly become coated with compounds that form on the metal's surface.

Why is sodium kept under oil?

To prevent reaction with air.

What happens when lithium is cut?

You can see the metallic lustre, but the black coating quickly reappears.

How does the corrosion rate in air change as you go down the alkali metal group?

The elements react more quickly with air as you go down the group.

What gas is given off when alkali metals react with water?

Hydrogen gas.

Describe the reaction of lithium with water.

The metal floats on the water and reacts with it, giving off hydrogen gas.

How does sodium's reaction with water compare to lithium's?

The same sort of thing happens, although the reaction is a bit more vigorous.

What is produced when alkali metals react with water?

Hydrogen gas is produced, and the metal dissolves to give an aqueous cation with a single positive charge.

What happens during potassium's reaction with water?

A flame appears; the heat is produced so quickly that the hydrogen gas catches fire and burns with a lilac flame.

What happens as you go down the alkali metal group reacting with water?

Things gradually become more terrifying / more vigorous.