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All alkali metals are found to be very soft and they have low melting and boiling points. Alkali metals have low binding energy in the metal crystal lattice as these atoms have only one valence electron. This results in the formation of metallic bonds which are not very strong. Also, alkali metals melting and boiling points decrease down the group.

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Alkali metals have low melting and boiling points because they have weak metallic bonding due to the presence of only one valence electron, which makes it easier to overcome the forces holding the atoms together. This results in low melting and boiling points compared to other metals.

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9mo ago
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It does not form many strong bonds, so it doesn't require as much energy to break them down.

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16y ago
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The forces between a molecule and its neighbours are much weaker. It is these intermolecular forces, not the covalent bonds, that must be overcome when the substances melts or boils

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12y ago
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Q: Why alkali metals have low melting and boiling points?
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What makes up alkali metals special?

Alkali metals are very reactive, not dense or hard metals, monovalent, with low electronegativities, with low melting and boiling points, react violently with water, form strong bases, etc.


What is the melting and boiling point of metals?

Melting and boiling points of metals vary depending on the specific metal. Generally, metals have high melting and boiling points compared to non-metals. For example, the melting point of iron is 1,538°C, while the boiling point is 2,861°C.


Melting points of alkali metals?

The melting points of alkali metals decrease down the group on the periodic table. Lithium has the highest melting point at 180.5°C, while cesium has the lowest at 28.5°C. This trend is due to the decreasing strength of metallic bonds as the atomic size increases down the group.


Which statement about alkali metals are correct?

Alkali metals belong to Group 1 of the periodic table. They are highly reactive and readily lose their outermost electron to form positive ions. Alkali metals have low melting and boiling points. They are soft and can be easily cut with a knife. Alkali metals include elements such as lithium, sodium, and potassium.


What are denser harder have higher melting points and are slightly less active than alkali metals in the same period?

These are characteristics of alkaline earth metals, such as calcium and magnesium. They have tightly packed metallic lattices, making them denser and harder than alkali metals. Their higher melting points and lower reactivity compared to alkali metals can be attributed to their lower atomic size and increased nuclear charge.