The s-block elements are those elements in the periodic table in which the

outermost electrons enter the s-orbital

Group 1 and Group 2 are s-block elements. They are the Alkali metals and
Alkaline earth metals respectively
Examples of alkali metals - Lithium, Sodium, Potassium, Rubidium, Caesium
and Francium (Radioactive). Their outer electronic configuration is generally
ns1 where n is the principal quantum number which tells us the orbit location in
terms of integers. They are so called because their aqueous solution is highly
basic. Water soluble bases are called alkalis
Examples of alkaline earth metals - Beryllium, Magnesium, Calcium, Strontium,
Barium and Radium (Radioactive). Their outer electronic configuration is
generally ns2 using the above conditions. NOTE: n must be a positive integer.
Fractions or negative integers do not make sense. They are so called because
they exit mostly in oxide states present in the earth's crust.
Francium's longest lived isotope Fr223 has a half life of only 21 minutes
Diagonal Relationship - This is an anomalous relationship which describes an
element in a group bearing resemblance to the adjacent group which is the next
period to the previous one. For example, consider Lithium is similar to
Magnesium and beryllium is similar to aluminium
The above relationship is due to the following factors:km
Similarity in ionic size
Charge / radius ratio of the elements
ALKALI METALS:
Metals of Group 1 are the alkali metals
Electronic Configuration
All alkali metals have one valence electron ( ns1 )
They are highly electropositive as they loosely hold the valence electron
which is located on the outermost shell
They form monovalent cations
Because of the above stated reason, these metals are never found in free
state in nature
Atomic and Ionic Radii
Alkali metals have the largest atomic sizes in their periods. Francium is
the most largest of all elements in neutral state but because it is
radioactive and does not really exhibit alkaline nature, we take caesium
as the end and the biggest element in atomic size
Their cation state is smaller than that of the normal state
The radii increase down the group
Ionization Enthalpy
 Alkali metals show considerably less ionization enthalpy
This is because the increasing size supersedes the effective nuclear
charge and the valence electron is screened well from the nucleus
Hydration Enthalpy
Hydration enthalpies decrease with increase in ionic radii
Lithium possesses maximum Hydration degree
Physical Properties
Silvery white, soft and light metals
Low density
Low melting and boiling points due to only one loose valence electron
and low ionization energy
Impart vibrant colors to an oxidizing flame. The heat of the flame excites
the valence electron to a higher energy level. Upon reaching the ground
state, there is emission of radiation in the visible light spectrum
Upon irradiation with light, they lose the valence electron ( Photoelectric
effect )
Chemical Properties
Extremely Reactive due to large size, high screening effect and low
ionization enthalpy
Reactivity towards air
Tarnish in dry air due to oxide formation and further combine
with moisture to form hydroxides
Lithium forms monoxide, sodium forms peroxide and other
elements form superoxides
Lithium is unique as it directly reacts with nitrogen to form the
nitride Li2N also
Due to abnormally high reactivity, these metals are always stored
under hydrocarbon media such as kerosene etc.
Reactivity towards water
They fuse with water and form hydroxides and dihydrogen
Due to highly negative potential, small size and high hydration
energy, lithium reacts less vigorously compared to other alkali
metals, which react explosively with water
They also react with proton donors like gaseous ammonia and
alkynes
Reactivity with dihydrogen
Alkali metals react with dihydrogen at about 673 K whereas
lithium reacts at 1073 K to form hydrides. All alkali metal hydrides
are ionic solids with high melting points
 Reactivity towards halogens
Alkali metals react vigorously with halogens to form ionic halides
M+X-
Lithium however shows covalent properties because of its high
polarization power during ionic mode
The distortion of the electronic cloud of the anion by the cation is
the polarization power or polarizability
Li+ ions have a small size and high tendency to distort the electron
system around the negative halide ion
Anions with large sizes can be easily distorted
Hence, lithium iodide is the most covalent in nature