EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -The alkali metals have only one valence electron in their highest-energy orbitals (ns1). In their respective periods, they are the largest elements and have the lowest ionization energies. The valence electron is easily lost, forming an ion with a 1+ charge.

Detailed explanation-2: -Answer and Explanation: Alkali metals are extremely reactive because they have one electron in their valence shell that is easily removed. Nonmetals generally want to gain electrons to fill their outer electron shells. It doesn’t take much energy for them to strip the one outer electron in an alkali metal’s atom.

Detailed explanation-3: -Alkali metals are among the most reactive metals. This is due in part to their larger atomic radii and low ionization energies. They tend to donate their electrons in reactions and have an oxidation state of +1. These metals are characterized by their soft texture and silvery color.

Detailed explanation-4: -They have largest atomic size, therefore, there is less force of attraction between valence electrons and nucleus and hence it is easier to remove the electron.

Detailed explanation-5: -Each alkali metal atom has a single electron in its outermost shell. This valence electron is much more weakly bound than those in inner shells. As a result, the alkali metals tend to form singly charged positive ions (cations) when they react with nonmetals.