Group 1 Elements - Alkali Metals Questions and Answers

This set of Chemistry Multiple Choice Questions & Answers (MCQs) focuses on “s-Block Elements – Group 1 Elements: Alkali Metals”.

1. Which of the following metal is not an alkali metal?
a) magnesium
b) rubidium
c) sodium
d) caesium
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: Alkali metals are the elements of group 1. The outer shell configuration of group 1 elements is ns¹, where n is the number of it’s period. Magnesium is not an alkali metal because it’s outer shell configuration is ns².

2. Alkali metals have the biggest atomic radii.
a) true
b) false
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: The alkali metals have the biggest atomic radii in their respective periods, atomic radii increases as we go down the group due to the addition of a new shell in each subsequent step. So the above statement is true.

3. The melting point of alkali metal is _____________
a) depends on the atmosphere
b) low
c) high
d) zero
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: The melting and boiling points of alkali metals are quite low and they decrease down the group due to weakening of their metallic bonds. Francium is the only element in this group which is a liquid at room temperature.

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4. Is there removal of second electron difficult in alkali metals?
a) Yes
b) No
c) Maybe
d) Cannot say
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: The first ionization enthalpy of alkali metals is the lowest among the elements in their respective periods and increases on moving down the Group. The second ionization enthalpies of the alkali metals are very high because by releasing an electron, ions require noble gas configuration, so removal of the second electron is difficult.

5. Alkali metals are strongly _____________
a) neutral
b) electropositive
c) electronegative
d) non-metallic
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: Due to low ionization enthalpies, alkali metals are strongly electropositive or metallic in nature and electropositive nature increases from Lithium to caesium due to decrease in ionization enthalpy.

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6. Alkaline earth metals show +1 Oxidation state and their atomic volume _____________ down the group.
a) is irregular
b) increase
c) decrease
d) do not change
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: The alkali metal atom show only +1 Oxidation State, because of their unipositive Ion at the time the stable noble gas configuration. The atomic volume of alkali metals is the highest in its period and goes on increasing down the group from top to bottom.

7. Does the degree of hydration depend upon the size of the cation?
a) Yes
b) No
c) Maybe
d) Cannot say
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: The degree of hydration depends upon the size of the cation, smaller the size of the cation, greater is its hydration enthalpy. The relative degree of hydration in an increasing order is Li⁺ > Na⁺ > K⁺ > Rb⁺ > Cs⁺.

8. The flame of caesium is in the colour _____________
a) white
b) red violet
c) yellow
d) blue
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: Alkali metals and their salt impart characteristic colours to the flame because the outer electrons get excited to higher energy levels. When the electrons return to the original state, it releases visible light of a characteristic wavelength which provides colour to the flame. The colour of the Flame of the caesium is blue.

9. Caesium has the highest electrical conductivity in its group.
a) true
b) false
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: Due to the presence of loosely held Valence Electrons which are free to move throughout the metal structure, the alkali metals are good conductors of heat and electricity. Electrical conductivity increases from top to bottom in the order, so caesium has the highest electrical conductivity in its group.

10. All alkali metals are good dash agents?
a) oxidizing
b) reducing
c) both oxidising and reducing
d) neither oxidizing not reducing
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: All the alkali metals are good reducing agents due to their low ionization energies. The reducing character of group 1 elements follows the increasing order of Sodium, Potassium, rubidium, Caesium and lithium.

11. What happens when alkali metals are exposed to moist air?
a) formation of nitrates
b) formation of oxides
c) formation of chlorides
d) formation of sulphates
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: On exposure to moist air, the surface gets tarnished due to the formation of oxides, hydroxide and carbonates. Few examples are sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, potassium hydroxide etc.

12. Sodium Peroxide is _____________ in colour and potassium superoxide is used as a source of _____________
a) blue, yellow
b) yellow, hydrogen
c) blue, oxygen
d) yellow, oxygen
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: Sodium Peroxide acquires yellow colour due to the presence of superoxide as an impurity. Potassium superoxide is used as a source of oxygen in submarines, space shuttles and an emergency breathing apparatus such as oxygen masks.

13. Which of the following is true regarding the reactivity order of alkali metals towards hydrogen?
a) Li < Na < K > Rb
b) Lithium < Na < K < Rb < Cs
c) Li > Na < Cs
d) Li < Rb > Cs
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: Two moles of alkali metal reacts with one mole of hydrogen molecule in order to form 2 moles of alkali metal hydride. The correct order of reactivity of alkali metals towards hydrogen is Li < Na < K < Rb < Cs.

14. Lithium fluoride is _____________ in water.
a) completely soluble
b) soluble
c) insoluble
d) cannot say
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: All alkali halides except Lithium fluoride are soluble in water, this is because Lithium fluoride is soluble in nonpolar solvents as it has a strong covalent bond. Lithium fluoride is represented by the formula LiF.

15. Alkali metals dissolving in Ammonia liquid give the blue solution, this is due to the formation of ammoniated _____________
a) ions
b) metal cations only
c) metal cations and electrons
d) electrons only
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: They give deep blue solution due to the formation of ammonia the metal cations and electrons, the blue colour is due to the oxidation of ammonia electron to higher energy levels and the absorption of photons occurs in the red region of the spectrum.

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