1.1. Sodium and potassium are both alkali metals.

Explain in terms of their electronic structures, why both elements are placed in Group 1 in the periodic table.

1.2. Use the Data Sheet to answer this question.

The electronic structures of some atoms and ions are shown in Figure 1 below.

Figure 1

Which structure represents an atom of sodium?

1.3. Which structure represents a potassium ion?

1.4. All of the alkali metals react with cold water.

Lithium reacts as follows:

lithium + water → lithium hydroxide + hydrogen

Complete and balance the symbol equation for this reaction.

__________  +  __________  →  2LiOH  +  __________

1.5. Potassium and sodium also react with water but the observed reactions are not the same. 

How does the reactivity of potassium differ from sodium?

1.6. State one difference in their electronic structures which explains the difference in reactivity between potassium and sodium.