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The electron configuration is why they react.
The Alkali metals have one electron in their outer shell and to complete their outer shell need 7 more electrons. They can give, take or share electrons with other atoms.
This is when the Halogens come in handy. The Halogens have 7 electrons in their outer shells, and need one more to complete the outer shell.
These can react very easily because they have both the perfect amounts to fill their outer shells and become compounds. Other atoms with other amounts to become atoms not ions needs another element to react with.
Hope this helps, Matt.
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Why alkali metals are more reactive than alkaline earth metals?
All atoms want to do is make their valence shell full. In alkali metals they have all of their shells completely full except one valence electron. The alkali metals REALLY want to get rid of that electron, so they will react with many elements/compounds to get rid of that electron. In alkaline earth metals they have all of their shells completely full except for two valence electrons. They also want to get rid of those electrons but the alkaline earth metals are not as desperate to do so as the alkali earth metals which make the alkaline much less reactive than the alkali metals.
What are the reactions with alkali metals and water like?
1) Alkali metals are stored in oil to minimise reaction with oxygen or water, it's a physical barrier towards air but the alkali metals still gradually corrode a traces of oxygen and water diffuse through. The reaction of alkali metals with water gets more violent for elements lower in the group e.g. (Li < Na < K < Rb < Cs). Adding them to water will cause an explosion due to the extremely exothermic nature of reaction, and can be rather dangerous and some alkali metals can react violently with just moisture in the air. Most of the alkali metals float on the top of the water, depending on how big the alkali metal is determines the size of the reaction this is because they're less dense that water itself and also during the reaction the alkali metals give of hydrogen gas which is quite flammable. Alkali Metal + Water » Metallic Hydroxide + Hydrogen The francium would be like any other alkali metal, it would be very violent like the other alkali metals.
Is carbon an alkaline earth metal?
Flourine is not a Rare Earth Metal, but rather a Halogen, which is the second column from the right of the periodic table. Halogens react violently with Alkali Metals when heated and form stable compounds, usually salt like. Examples: Lithium + Flourine = Lithium Flouride Sodium + Chlorine = Sodium Chloride (Table salt)
Why do the alkaline earth metals react similarly?
All alkali earth metals have two valence electrons and they all form ions in +II oxidation state.
What are some of the properties shared by alkaline earth metals?
some are easily, all of them react with air which they tarnish quickly. lithium, potassium, rubidium , caesium and francium all ignite when they are placed in water. but overall there is nothing else i can really say from what i know. :-)
