Alkaliemetaller

Alkaliemetaller are a group of chemical elements that make up Group 1 of the periodic table, excluding hydrogen. This group includes lithium (Li), sodium (Na), potassium (K), rubidium (Rb), cesium (Cs), and francium (Fr). These elements are characterized by having a single valence electron in their outermost electron shell, which they readily lose to form a cation with a +1 charge. This single valence electron makes them highly reactive.

Alkaliemetaller are soft, silvery metals with low melting and boiling points. They are never found in their elemental form in nature due to their extreme reactivity, but rather as compounds, particularly in salts. Their reactivity increases as you go down the group; for instance, francium is the most reactive. They react vigorously with water, producing hydrogen gas and the corresponding metal hydroxide, which is a strong base. This reaction can be highly exothermic and even explosive. They also readily react with halogens to form ionic salts and with oxygen to form oxides, peroxides, or superoxides.

The abundance of alkaliemetaller in the Earth's crust varies, with sodium and potassium being the most common. Lithium is important in batteries, and sodium and potassium are essential electrolytes for biological functions. Due to their high reactivity, they are typically stored under oil or inert gas to prevent contact with air and moisture.