Experiment 4.

1 To Investigate the Chemical Properties of:

Lithium

Sodium

Potassium

How does the reactivity of group 1 element change when they react with water and oxygen gas, O2?
A. The reaction of alkali metals with water.

Hypothesis:
When going down Group 1, alkali metals become more reactive in their reactions with water.

B. The reaction of alkali metals with oxygen gas, O2 Hypothesis:

When going down Group 1, alkali metals become more reactive in their reactions with oxygen gas, O2

A. The reaction of alkali metals with water.

Procedure: A. Cut a small pieces of lithium using a knife and forceps. B. Dry the oil on the surface of the lithium with filter paper. C. Place the lithium slowly onto the water surface in a trough. D. When the reaction stops, test the solution produced with red litmus paper. E. Teacher will demonstrate step A to D using sodium. F. Record your observation.

B. The reaction of alkali metals with oxygen gas, O2

Procedure: A. Cut a small piece of lithium using a knife and forceps. B. Dry the oil on the surface of the lithium with filter paper. C. Put the lithium in a gas jar spoon D. Heat the lithium strongly until it burns. E. Transfer the gas jar into a gas jar filled with oxygen gas. F. Observe what happen. G. When the reaction stops, pour 10cm3 of water into the gas jar. Shake the gas jar. Test the solution formed with red litmus paper. A. Teacher demonstration on sodium on step A G. B. Record your observation.

Data and observation:

Section

lithium

sodium

Potassium

Lithium melts and moves slowly at random on the surface of water with plenty of fizz. A colourless solution that turns red litmus paper blue is formed

Sodium melts and move rapidly at random on the surface of water with a hissing sound. A colourless solution that turns red litmus paper blue is formed

Potassium melts, moves very fast at random on the surface of water and ignites with a lilac flame, with pop and hissing sound. A colourless solution that turns red limus paper blue is formed.

Lithium burns slowly with a red flame. White fumes are produced which become a white solid when cooled to room temperature. The white solid formed dissolves in water to form a colourless solution that turns red litmus paper blue.

Sodium burns rapidly with bright yellow flame. White fumes are produced which become a white solid when cooled to room temperature. The white solid formed dissolves in water to form a colourless solution that turns red litmus paper blue.

Potassium burns very rapidly and violently with a lilac flame. White fumes are produced which become a white solid when cooled to room temperature. The white solid formed dissolves in water to form a colourless solution that turns red litmus paper blue.

Questions:
What happen when lithium, sodium and potassium is replace with Rubidium, Cesium and Francium in both reaction?

ANSWER