What electron pattern do you notice for all of the elements belonging to the Alkali Metal family?

1 Answer
Meave60
Jan 1, 2017

See the explanation.

Explanation:

All of the alkali metals (group 1/IA) have a single valence electron in their highest energy s sublevel. This makes them very reactive.

#"Li":##"1s"^2color(red)("2s"^1")#

#"Na":##"1s"^2"2s"^2"2p"^6color(red)("3s"^1)#

#"K":##"1s"^2"2s"^2"2p"^6"3s"^2"3p"^6color(red)("4s"^1)#

#"Rb":##"1s"^2"2s"^2"2p"^6"3s"^2"3p"^6"3d"^(10)"4s"^2"4p"^6color(red)("5s"^1)#

#"Cs":##"1s"^2"2s"^2"2p"^6"3s"^2"3p"^6"3d"^(10)"4s"^2"4p"^6"4d"^10"5s"^2"5p"^6color(red)("6s"^1)#

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